Our team now has a place to call home, some information about it is below. I will try to keep you updated as I find out more of what the semester is going to look like.
Please keep out team in your prayers as this transition goes on.
Mbabane/Ezulwini
Area
Mbanane
is the capital of Swaziland.
It is the Governmental center of the country. It has about 80,000
inhabitants. The US
embassy, a full service mall, and the largest government hospital are all
located in Mbanane. It is in the higher altitude part of the country with
beautiful mountains and greenery everywhere. The climate is cooler than
that found in Manzini.
Ezulwini
means “Heaven” in siSwati. The Ezulwini valley sits below the
city of Mbanane
and is in some ways a suburb of the capital. There are tourist amenities
in Ezulwini including the countries largest craft market.
The
house is located in a new housing development and has good security with
a guard, high wall, and electric fence protecting the whole neighborhood.
The FYM program in Swaziland
was actually housed in this same area beginning 2004 and there are still
multiple ministry contacts in the area. The house is less than 2 years
old, has 4 bedrooms and will have modern bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Transportation
will involve primarily public transport – although the team will have an
AIM vehicle as well. Public Transport is a 5-10 minute walk from the
house. A “Kombie” ride up the road to Mbabane is about 20 minutes up (and
about 10 minutes down!)
Ministry
opportunities include:
·
Hospital in Mbabane – men’s
ward, women’s ward, large children’s ward.
·
2 high schools in Mbabane where we have done discipleship and
abstinence groups in the past.
·
Teacher assistants in 2 elementary
schools in Ezulwini.
·
3 vulnerable children care points located
in Ezulwini.
·
English Teacher for a program designed
for older kids who are unable to go to school but need English for jobs.
·
Street ministry in Mbabane.
·
A Mosque is located on the road behind
the neighborhood where the team will live.
·
Several NGO’s are located in Mbabane. With some
networking, there may be some ability to help with some of their activities.
