BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – Hope has arrived for hundreds of vulnerable families in the Shiselweni Region following the launch of a E1.2 million Youth-Led Food Security and Livelihood Empowerment Project targeting child-headed households and struggling communities.
World Vision Eswatini and Esicojeni Foundation yesterday officially launched the initiative during a signing ceremony held at the Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane on May 15, 2026.
The project, which will run from 2026 to 2027, is expected to benefit 350 households, approximately 1 540 people, 50 out-of-school youth and four schools in Sigwe, Shiselweni II and Somntongo constituencies.
The total investment towards the programme stands at SZL1,215,005. Esicojeni Foundation contributed E500 000 while World Vision Eswatini invested E500 000 in cash and E215 005 through in-kind support.
Representing Standard Bank Chief Executive Officer Mvuselelo Fakudze, Sanele Khumalo said the initiative would help restore dignity and hope to vulnerable children and struggling families.
“Through initiatives like the child-headed household programme, young people are gaining the means to support themselves, restore dignity and begin building a future beyond survival,” he said.
Amos W. Zaidi, the National Director of World Vision Eswatini, said the partnership was responding to the realities faced by child-headed and single-headed households affected by poverty and food insecurity.
He said hunger continued to expose children, especially girls, to exploitation, violence and teenage pregnancy.
“We know that hunger makes children more vulnerable to violence, including sexual violence,” he said.
Zaidi said the programme would strengthen household food production through climate-smart agriculture and livestock support while also equipping young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
He added that youth showing strong potential during the project would be linked to opportunities such as the Youth Enterprise Fund for further support.
According to the partners, the initiative seeks to break the cycle of poverty by strengthening families’ capacity to provide for their children while building resilient and food-secure communities.
The organisations also thanked sponsors and development partners for supporting efforts aimed at alleviating hunger and improving livelihoods in vulnerable communities.
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