Eswatini formally known as Swaziland is a small landlocked nation inside Southern Africa with a population of 1.2 million people.

The vast majority (76 percent) live in rural areas and depend on small-scale agriculture for their economic livelihood.  Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Eswatini depends heavily on South Africa for more than 90% of its imports and for 60% of its exports. Eswatini's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively relinquishing their monetary policy to South Africa. The government is heavily dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union, and worker remittances from South Africa supplement domestically earned income. Eswatini’s GDP per capita makes it a lower middle income country, but its income distribution is highly skewed, with an estimated 20% of the population controlling 80% of the nation’s wealth.

Around 35 percent of the population is unemployed. Around 595 live below the national poverty line.

Eswatini is among the world’s most HIV-affected countries. Around 26 percent of people aged 15-19 and 19 percent of the population aged 2 and older is affected by HIV. This has contributed to an increase in the number of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Violence against women is increasing. According to the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organizations (CANGO), 78 percent of women in Eswatini are survivors of gender-based violence.

GOOD NEWS CLUBS and HEALTHY GIRLS CLUBS

Hope Rises has a rich history of providing compassionate care in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Since 2012, Hope Rises’ emphasis has been on Child Evangelism. Our team members have been trained by Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in USA and South Africa, to train volunteers and lead after school Good News Clubs throughout the country.

We have several Good News Clubs and are also able to do morning assembly devotions at local schools. Our objective is to share the love of Christ with as many kids as possible. Children are taught about Jesus through Bible lessons, memorizing scripture and songs.

Your continued prayers and financial support are a priceless gift to this ministry. Funds help to provide petrol (fuel) for transportation needs, food and snacks, clothes, school uniforms and supplies for our annual Christmas party clubs.

Over the years, we’ve observed young Swazi girls in need of toiletries and sanitary napkins. These items are not easily accessible to them. The mission of the Healthy Girls Club is to ensure the availability of these products so these young women do not have to earn them through other unhealthy means.

Purchased in-country, it costs about $150 per month to supply 70 girls with the toiletries and sanitary products they need. Our current goal is to raise enough money to support 70 girls for two years ($3,600). We are also in need of partners to come alongside us and help provide salaries for the two women who are serving and loving these young ladies, in the towns where they live.

Thank you for partnering with us to reach the next generation in Eswatini. Our desire is that the they will truly know how much they are loved by God and that He knows each one of them by name.

Bheki and Nomfundo

DVOKOLWAKO FREEDOM IN CHRIST MINISTRIES

Pastor Ambrose and his wife minister in Eswatini. Their heart’s desire is to point others to Jesus by preaching and teaching the Gospel. They also serve people in need in their community by feeding over 140 children in their community after school on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They also help to build housing for those in need with assistance from the community and other churches.