School health care Swazi style

For more than 30 years Manzini Youth Care (MYC) has provided accommodation, support, care and education for marginalized and homeless young people at risk through poverty. Originally, MYC project was started in 1978 in response to the growing numbers of street children in Swaziland and today it consists of 5 residential homes for 90 street children including the McCorkindale Orphanage for 30 boys and girls significantly. This is significantly important work in a country where poverty line (people living with less than a dollar a day) is 64 %. It is estimated that there are nearly 50,000 orphans in the country and another 50,000 vulnerable children at risk. More information about MYC can be found here http://manziniyouthcare.com/

On Monday, I visited Salesian center and had honor to meet Father Larry, around 70 years old leader of the Salesians in Swaziland and Luvamba, the nurse who is the only person in charge of Manzini health clinic, which serves Salesian school students as well as community that is surrounding Salesian. Father Larry told me that during the time he has lived in Swaziland, which is more than 30 years, the amount of food being grown in  Swaziland has dwindled immensely and the amount of street children due to mainly HIV and poverty is still enormous. Luvamba is trying to give best possible care for patients in cooperation of 4 Soup Kitchens, 4 Neighbourhood Care points and community leaders in very severe economical challenges. Being the only person he is mainly giving curative care although he wish he could give more time for preventive care. Also because of the lack of funds he hasn't been able for instance this year to buy enough gas to visit communities and homes of sick people. With the help of the other Finnish social worker and me, we started planning to do even few visits to communities and do health check ups for students in coming weeks. Here you have the history of Salesians http://www.swazilegacy.org/history.html and http://www.salesians.org.