Rotary helping school in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

Swaziland Schools Projects (SSP) charity has been supported by the Rotary Club of Nene Valley, Northampton for many years. The charity’s Operations Manager is Keith Fossey MBE who is also a Rotarian at the Nene Valley club.

The charity undertakes building projects including classrooms, teachers houses, toilets, school kitchens and preschools. It also pays for children to receive a secondary education in Eswatini – the new name for Swaziland.

All the work of the charity – both in the UK and Eswatini – is undertaken by volunteers and the charity celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

The SSP team in Eswatini found a primary school in a remote area called Lundzi which was in need of a great deal of renovation and so a proposal was put to the Nene Valley Rotary Club and the Rotary District organisation for a grant towards the costs.

Nene Valley Rotary Club offered help to the value of £2000 and Rotary District matched this so that £4000 of the total required was passed to SSP. The total costs of the project is about 322,000 Emalengeni or about £14000.

So, what exactly is the work?

The 14 classrooms have tin roofs and so it is very cold in winter and hot in summer. When it rains it is hard to hear the teacher. False ceilings and lighting will be installed which make a huge difference to the quality of teaching and learning. There will be repairs to windows, doors and the concrete floors.

The headteachers space is also in need of complete renovation. The school will be painted and finally, solar security lights will be installed outside.

Swaziland Schools Projects charity wishes to thank the Rotary Club of Nene Valley and the Rotary District organisation for their tremendous support.

Attached are photos of the school. Further information will be published once work has been undertaken.

Enquiries to Keith Fossey at [email protected]