The WALTER PROJECT – For Orphans in the community of Ngculwini, Swaziland, Africa

In August 2005 I spent 2 weeks in Swaziland with a mission group.  I’m a retired RN and it was my intention to test eyes and fit glasses while there.  The machines for checking eyes were held up in customs, so I went with some other nurses from the mission group to one of Swaziland’s few hospitals.  There was little I could do there to make a difference.  My third option was to go to an “orphan point” of which there are 450 in the country.  As of July 2006 there are 650 of these "orphan points." These are small meeting places where the orphans go to spend their day and may be fed if any food (typically rice or beans) had been donated.  There are no orphanages as we know them and the vast majority of these children are orphans due to their parent’s deaths from AIDS.  There I found the real reason I was in Africa.  At this site there are 100+ children barely surviving due to starvation and neglect.  I saw 9 and 10 year olds trying to raise their younger siblings.  If food had been donated it would be cooked over an open fire using filthy creek water.  They have no milk, juice or clean water to drink and no toileting facility. Their only toy was a “ball” made with a plastic bag stuffed with leaves.  Most had little energy to play due to malnutrition.  There are not enough adults to provide the nurturing these children need.  The children there called me “Go Go” which means grandma.  They craved my attention and displayed great joy and happiness from a simple hug or smile, seemingly to be aware that someone cared.  Walter Malaza is a young man with 2 years of Bible School training who is serving these kids and their community as both their pastor and provider.  He received his first Bible on our visit and is studying and teaching as he goes.

I knew I had to do something to help Walter give these kids a chance to live, learn and dream of a “life”.  There may be another Nelson Mandela or Abe Lincoln in the group!  I spoke with Swaziland Agricultural Development Consultant, John Weatherson and laid out my plan to provide water and power.  Mr. Weatherson pointed out that we first had to provide the children with food to keep them alive until other tasks could be accomplished.  In December 2005, friends of the project donated $2000 for food that was used for a special Christmas meal with enough funds left over to purchase nourishing food which lasted nearly 6 weeks!  We then began by planning the use of the 100 acres assigned to Walter Malaza by the local Chief which will be used for this project.  We started by plowing the uncultivated land, preparing it and planting a large garden of 5000 seedlings, a variety of vegetable seeds, and a few fruit trees.  Later a large crop of beans and corn were planted for the future winter.  A fence around the property was erected to keep animals out, especially roaming cows and goats.  The well was dug to 215 feet and is ready for a pump and piping when power is available.  A drip system for the gardens has to be done.  The electric power is scheduled to be brought to the site in early April 2006.  In the meantime a borrowed pump and pipe have been providing creek water for the garden.

These orphans are not offered any organized education by their government.  The children are bright and curious and retain teachings they have received by visitors.  Over two years ago the people in the community put in a cement slab on which they dreamed of building a school.  I felt it necessary that this project include the building of a small Primary School on this slab. The building has now been designed with the ability to be expanded upon.  A toileting and hand washing facility will be built after the school has been completed.  The Minister of Education was made aware of the Walter Project and has visited the area.  Subsequently, He has arranged for the older orphans to attend a regular school – something that has never happened before!  He has now delivered textbooks for the younger children to be used as soon as the school is ready!  It’s exciting to watch the progress in this area and know that the people will soon be able to support and educate themselves!

Bonnie M. Van Schaick ~ Founder and Volunteer Director of the Walter Project