Swaziland

Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of eSwatini, is a country in the south of Africa. It is enclosed by South Africa and Mozambique. The country has two capitals: Mbabane is the administrative capital and Lobamba the royal and legal capital. Swaziland has almost 1.5 million inhabitants.
After being under British and South African protectorate, Swaziland became independent in 1968. On April 19, 2018, the king changed the former name Swaziland into Kingdom of eSwatini.

ESwatini is one of the poorest countries in the world and has the world’s highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 27% of all adults is infected, a financial strain and source of economic instability. Sugarcane, corn, cotton, citrus, pineapples, cattle and goats are important agricultural products. Mining has declined in importance in recent years and the mines are small scale. Important industrial products are: soft drink concentrates, coals, forestry, sugar processing, textiles and apparel  But there is little growth in these industries. The problem is that Eswatini depends on South Africa for a majority of its exports and imports. The unemployment rate is about 40%, in rural communities 50% of the population is unemployed. Most people have informal jobs with an unsteady income. Of the population 63% is living below the poverty line.

HomePlan in Swaziland

HomePlan builds together with Caritas Eswatini in remote rural communities, where poverty is enormous. A whole generation has been wiped out by the AIDS virus, many children, often at a very young age, have become orphan. Traditionally, they are forced to live with their grandparents, but often even completely alone. These so-called child families are completely dependent on themselves. Most homes are temporary dilapidated inhumane dwellings of mud and sticks. There is no electricity, running water or a connection to the sewer system.