Pasture Valley
Children's Home for Orphans, Nhlangano
Swaziland is one of the countries worst affected by HIV/AIDS. With a population which is more than 40% HIV positive, there are many orphans left to fend for themselves. There are many child headed families and many neglected or abused children. Peter & Michelle McCubbin could not ignore the situation around them and wanted to help in some way. So, in October 2003, they established a small children's home on Pasture Valley (their family farm) for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs).
Presently, they care for 24 children. This does not do much to improve the situation in Swaziland generally but it does at least give 24 children a chance of a better life. The children were referred by SOS Children's Villages, Save the Children Fund, Department of Social Welfare, Doctors without Borders and Our Lady of Sorrows Mission. They aim to provide a stable Christian home for the children where they can be part of the activities on the farm and learn and play in the freedom the farm provides.
The children stay in two houses (Stella House & David House) on the farm where Gogo (means grandmother in Siswati) Constance and Make (Mother) Nelly take care of them. The older children attend a school nearby and the younger children are educated in the pre-school on the farm. Great care is taken to ensure that the children retain their Swazi identity and that they are able to slot back into normal Swazi family life when appropriate.
Vula Amehlo Trust recently announced the death of Stella Tyers, one of it's founders, who died at home in Nottingham on 11th August 2010. Stella's family and friends have generously donated to the Trust in her memory. The total amount given continues to rise but so far is over £4000 (once gift aid has been claimed). This has allowed the Trust to send £4000 to Pasture Valley Children's home in Swaziland to support the building and equipping of their new Education Centre. The Education Centre is now completed and functioning well. The Trust previously gave £500 to cover the cost of a computer & printer for the children. Many of the children now have a sponsor to cover basic school fees but it costs an average of £1200 per year to care for each child (including food, clothes, fuel, carer salary, medical costs etc. but excluding capital/building costs). A new children's house is planned in the next few months and more funding will be needed to support additional children. The Trust would like to help with funding for this essential care.
See our "Support Us" page if you would like to help with care costs and invest in a child's future with either a regular or one-off donation. All donations, no matter how small or large, are welcome and will make a real difference in a child's life.
Click here to visit the Pasture Valley Website (Opens in new window)
Other Orphan Projects
Teen Challenge Swaziland
The Trust has also supported Teen Challenge Hawane Farm Orphanage in earlier years. Funds were provided for education & medical costs as well as for the provision of industrial laundry equipment.
