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Eswatini

Swaziland: Food distribution at Khupuka relieves hungry communities

by Wandile Mavuso - Communications
World Vision Swaziland Lubombo Area Development Programme, funded by World Vision Australia, last week distributed yellow maize, beans and vegetable oil to 3,650 beneficiaries in Mnjoli and Khupuka communities.

Pauline Zwane (61), who was left with the burden of taking care of her six grandchildren after their parents died from undisclosed illnesses five years ago was overcome with gratitude to World Vision for providing her with food. "At least today I will be able to put food on the table for my grandchildren, since there is no one helping me to take care of the children. Relatives are distant and don't seem to care, and the children have been forced to drop out of school because of insufficient funds," she said.

Margaret Mavimbela (58), a widow and grandmother of 10 children, said life is tough for her and her family. "I sometimes go as far as Mhlume's sugar company kitchen to ask for leftovers so that my grandchildren and I can go to sleep with something in our stomachs," she said. She went on to say that none of the children attends school.

"I am so grateful to World Vision for distributing food to us old people," she said. She also added that meat is a luxury to them and if the rains do not come in time, they will not be able to get any harvest from the seeds that were distributed by World Vision.

Email newsvision@wvi.org for more information.