Building a National Network of Care through Rural Community Sites in Eswatini

https://incbyc.github.io/ICBC_/#9/-26.4787/31.3240

Introduction: The Power of Proximity

In Eswatini, approximately 75% of the population resides in rural communities, where the most vulnerable groups — the elderly and children — predominate. This demographic imbalance arises from economic necessity: parents often leave their children with grandparents to seek better employment opportunities in cities and neighboring countries. Sadly, this migration frequently leads to an erosion of family support, with funds rarely reaching those left behind. Furthermore, various factors, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, trafficking, and family abandonment, contribute to the persistent cycle of vulnerability in rural Eswatini.

Our mission is to break this cycle by building a national network of care throughout rural Eswatini. This white paper outlines the importance of creating this network, which is rooted in the power of proximity — the strategic placement of support services within walking distance of every orphaned and vulnerable child. Through our rural community sites, we aim to empower families, foster community-led transformation, and bring hope to those who need it most.

1. The Importance of Rural Communities in Eswatini

Rural communities in Eswatini hold the key to national transformation. These areas are home to the majority of the country's population, particularly the elderly and children, who face disproportionate challenges. The traditional model of leaving children with grandparents while parents pursue income opportunities in urban areas has proven unsustainable. Many parents do not return, and funds often fail to reach the families left behind, resulting in a growing population of child-led households and elderly caretakers with limited means.

Key Vulnerabilities in Rural Communities:

• Economic Hardship: With the primary earners away and minimal financial support returning to rural areas, many families struggle to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
• Health Risks: The absence of adequate healthcare facilities in rural communities exacerbates health challenges, particularly for the elderly and children who require regular medical attention.
• Social Vulnerabilities: Children in child-led homes are at increased risk of exploitation, including transactional sex, forced labor, and trafficking, as they strive to survive in the absence of adult protection and support.

2. The Role of the Gospel in Transformational Change

Central to our strategy is the work of the gospel. True transformation — cultural, familial, and societal — requires a foundation rooted in spiritual renewal. By establishing a national network of care, we are not merely providing physical support, we are also bringing the hope of the gospel to every corner of Eswatini. The gospel drives the cultural change needed to restore family structures, strengthen communities, and empower individuals to lead lives of purpose and hope.

3. Building a National Network of Care: The Power of Proximity

Our approach to building this network is based on the power of proximity — placing help within walking distance of every rural orphaned and vulnerable child. This model ensures that no child-led families go unnoticed and no child is subjected to preventable exploitation due to lack of support.

Creating a Network Effect

By situating ourselves throughout rural communities in Eswatini, we create a network effect that amplifies community-based support initiatives. Each rural community site serves as a hub for: