Child Sponsorship background from Mbabane, Swaziland

SOS Children's Village Mbabane

The SOS Children's Village Mbabane is located about six kilometres away from the city centre, giving its inhabitants all the advantages of a nearby city like shops, markets, etc. The official opening ceremony took place on 29 June 1990 in the presence of King Mswati III and numerous honorary guests.

SOS Children's Village Mbabane comprises a number of family houses, houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave), an administration and service area and a workshop.

Other SOS Projects in Mbabane

The adjoining SOS Nursery has four group rooms, a kitchen and a playground. Both primary and secondary school education are offered at the SOS School. A sports field, a library and a computer lab also belong to the SOS School.

The SOS Youth Home accommodates youths who have outgrown the SOS Children's Village during their vocational training or higher education, giving them the chance to prepare for an independent life. Patients are treated at our small clinic, which also accommodates an office for SASO, The Swaziland Aids Support Organisation. HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns are held regularly. The family strengthening programme provides families with access to essential services and helps building family resources. The offered services include food assistance, educational scholarships, literacy classes, renovation of shelters, individual and communal food production and other income generating activities.

Background to Mbabane

Mbabane, founded in 1887, is the capital of the Kingdom of Swaziland. The city is situated in the Highveld, whose mountains, rocky hilltops, scattered boulders, grasslands and steep wooded valleys make the scenery one of the most spectacular ones in Southern Africa.

Although siSwati is the primary language, English is widespread. Mbabane, and Swaziland itself, depend on tourism and sugar exports. The city has two sites for light industries.

Mbabane is also the home of the Waterford-KaMhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, as well as one of the three campuses of the University of Swaziland.