Educate & feed 300 children in Swaziland!

As the cold dreary winds of Autumn blow, ushering in an early winter chill through southern Africa, whilst still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the remedial lockdown, vulnerable families brace themselves for the added strife of a fast approaching dry winter. Maize fields have dried up, indigenous fruit trees are bare, dust everywhere, and concerns of loss of income generating opportunities, which took hold during the lockdown, are intensified with the looming beginning of this season. Through your generosity, many vulnerable families have been provided with an essential lifeline delivered through All Out Africa Foundation, a few of the daily growing number.

The 15th May 2020 Food parcel delivery preparations begin with hope and excitement. This week our standard food parcel of 10kg Rice, 5kg Beans, 3kg sugar, 5kg chicken, bar of soap, 2l cooking and salt has received a boost of canned fruits, mixed canned jams, 10kg maize meal and several boxes of a nutritional traditional maize meal drink from locally based friends. The impending winter season has intensified our determination to help. We are making deliveries to 18 vulnerable families in the Bethany, Mhlanya, Lobamba, Nkhanini, Ekuzukekeni, Elangeni, Mlindzawe, Ezulwini and Mvutshini communities. The tears of relief and the looks of hope with each delivery helps renew All Out Africa Foundation’s conviction to make a difference. A gogo is speechless, tears roll down her face while her three grandchildren (aged 5-11) look at her wide eyed. She used up the last maize meal the night before after rationing by serving one meal a day for the last two weeks. During this poignant moment no words are exchanged or necessary.

The delivery of food parcels on the 29th of May 2020 assisted a further 18 vulnerable families and were received with a deeper appreciation, not only for the recipients but for those making deliveries as well. During this trip, All Out Africa Foundation was joined by Tristan and Tana Roques, children and protégés of the Foundation’s founder, who are running a COVID-19 relief fundraiser to strengthen the impact and reach of the food deliveries. On this delivery day, we were met by a mourner at homestead in Nkhanini belonging to an elderly man who lost his elderly bedridden wife a few days earlier. Due to the lockdown, friends and family have been unable to assist him, and in his words - after translation - “They heard my cries across the sea.”

The extension of the lockdown in Eswatini reinforced the need to intensify food delivery efforts. The number of vulnerable families increases daily. The economic crisis deepens with each passing day in lockdown, hope of returning “to normal”, which was a struggle already, disappears. Schools such as those based at the All Out Africa Foundation care points that at least provided 2 meals a day to vulnerable children remain closed indefinitely. Through your support we have been able to provide some relief and can only continue to do so through your donation. Your donations have supported 81 families, a total of 288 vulnerable people. Words of thanks cannot begin to describe the heartfelt gratitude expressed by all these families. Siyabonga kakhulu!