BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– The launch of the YES Project’s new story booklet, “The Thread of Courage and Hope,” is more than a ceremonial milestone; it is a strategic tool in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Eswatini.
Held on January 27, 2026, at The Gorge Hotel, the event highlighted how this publication will serve as a practical blueprint for survivors, advocates, and policymakers.
YES Project Manager Ayanda Sigudla delivered a moving address, describing the booklet as “psychosocial support in your pocket.” She emphasized that the resource is deeply relatable, allowing readers to see themselves in stories of women overcoming abandonment or children seeking a voice. “In moments when you are alone, you can take it out, read it, and begin to cope,” Sigudla remarked. “You realize that if someone could come out of such a situation and share their story, then somewhere, someone will reach out to give support.”
To ensure the message reaches every corner of the Kingdom, Sigudla announced that 500 copies of the booklet have already been printed for distribution to partners. Furthermore, the YES Project will carry these booklets to every event they attend, sharing them freely with Emaswati to encourage healing and awareness. “If you know a friend is going through something, sharing this booklet is enough. You would have done something meaningful,” she added.
The book is designed to bridge the gap between silence and action by documenting community-led response strategies. For grassroots organizations like First Aid Responders (FAR) and NATICC, it acts as a practical reference. It encapsulates three years of behavior-change protocols, allowing other communities to replicate successful interventions. “The skills we got are forever,” noted Minky Sithole during the launch, reinforcing that the training and the booklet ensure these skills are shared.
Beyond storytelling, the publication underscores the success of the Emergency Fund, which provides life-saving relief to survivors. It demonstrates to donors like the European Union, and partners such as SWAGAA, Kwakha Indvodza, Luvatsi, Gcama Mfati, and SRWA, the tangible impact of rapid-response support.
Ultimately, “The Thread of Courage and Hope” aims to shift cultural mindsets. By providing these booklets for free, the project—implemented by COSPE—is turning individual experiences into a collective movement. As Sigudla concluded, “When it comes to gender-based violence, we all have a role to play. The best thing you can do today is to share this booklet with everyone.”
#EPN #Eswatini #EndGBV #TheThreadOfCourageAndHope #YESProject #HumanRights #CommunityImpact #FirstAidResponders #SocialChange #AyandaSigudla
