From just 3 children in 2000 we have managed, with the support of local people, to increase to 30. Our sponsorship is broken down into ‘bite size chunks’ so that sponsors can choose what they wish to pay for. The cost is almost certainly less than you imagine! Some of our sponsored children are shared e.g. one person will pay for the education and another person will pay for school dinners, uniform and treats. Some sponsors want to keep supporting the same child until they leave the school whereas some sponsors will be involved for just one year. Any combination you prefer – we don’t mind, we just want people to help us to ensure an education for these children.

Swaziland parents have to pay school fees for their children and uniform, including shoes, is compulsory. Problems occur because there is often only one parent and there simply isn’t enough money for the school fees. If both parents are gone the child will usually be taken in by the extended family but they are usually overstretched with the extra mouths to feed let alone school fees and uniform. Increasingly, there are no adults in the home and the children have no income but are helped by their neighbours. In these instances the older children often drop out of school. We are working on a wider scheme to try to support child-led families so that they all receive the education that will help them to secure employment. The teachers at Nyamane school know the families in the community and they help identify needy children to join our sponsorship scheme.

Our sponsors receive the school report at the end of the school year and photographs whenever we visit, including film (DVD).

Sponsorship Costs

If you would like to sponsor a child, please email chairman@communityfriendship.org.uk for details on paying by cheque or arranging a direct debit.