Swaziland

Swaziland has one of the world's highest HIV infection rates: more than 40 percent of the population is affected. The situation is exacerbated by natural disasters, such as the persistent drought that started in 2000. One tragic result has been the dramatic increase of orphans and vulnerable children – in some areas, more than 60 percent of children in school fall into this category. These children struggle on the edge of human existence; most have no one to care for their immediate needs.

To help the orphans, UNICEF has initiated the concept of Neighborhood Care Points. These are modest communal centers where orphans and vulnerable children receive informal education and a meal a day from volunteer caregivers. The Neighbourhood Care Points also serve as daycare centers where children who head households can leave their younger siblings while they attend school.

McKinsey for Children has committed to building and supporting three Neighborhood Care Points in the Matsanjeni area. We started our support in 2008, funding not only the construction of new school buildings, but also basic infrastructure such as water supply. The work was finalized at the end of 2008 with the purchase of school furniture and supplies, and since then, these three Neighbourhood Care Points have been fully operational. About 100 children benefit from this project.

Our local partner is World Vision, which serves as our contact and provides local project coordinators and other forms of support necessary to ensure rapid progress. World Vision has considerable experience implementing assistance programs in developing countries in general and in Swaziland in particular.