Saving Orphans Through Healthcare and Outreach

SOHO programs include the establishment of welcome places, in cooperation with SOHO-Eswatini. These are multipurpose centers to school, feed and nurture orphans and vulnerable children, as well as to serve the broader community. The centers provide a safe environment for children who are at risk in their own homesteads or communities. Food Parcels provided to families at risk, consist of a month's supply of maize, beans, soup mix, cooking oil, soap and other necessities. Mhlosheni Welcome Place has a pre-school where enrichment programs improve the learning and wellbeing of the children. In addition to schooling, there are graduation events to engage the community and emphasize the importance of education in communities where children are sometimes kept home to attend to house work. There is a feeding program which provides food for orphans and vulnerable children from the pre-school, as well as community members. At the end of the school year, the children perform songs, skits and cultural dances for the community. This community engagement encourages the children and assists to build this pre-school populations self-esteem and to develop communication skills. The second Welcome Place at Nhlambeni, the opposite side of the country, houses the Hope Discovery Learning Center (HDLC). Children from the neighboring indigent community, known as the Squatter Camp, are able to attend. Additionally, SOHO programs include homestead visits to address the general health and wellbeing of families, as well as a community gardens to engage the children and community members.

SOHO engages in awareness raising on issues such as Gender-Based Abuse and Human Trafficking. Sexual exploitation of girls and domestic abuse are critical issues in eSwatini as one in three girls is abused. An annual Forum is held in Indianapolis, IN, generally in September, featuring a notable guest who deals with social issues affecting the orphan population that SOHO serves. A special program recognizes the contribution of individuals who are making a difference. She inspires social awareness and encourages participation in issues that affect the population served in Eswatini. For the past eight years, this GAME CHANGERS Forum has brought together thought leaders from South Africa and the US to discuss how to put an end to the pandemic if gender-based abuse affecting women and girls. On the heels of the UN inspired 16 Days of Activism, some of SOHO's Game Changers and Trail Blazers who were honored by SOHO at previous Galas participated in a virtual event seen internationally. Educated and equipped, women can be better care givers, community educators, mentors, income earners and role models. Women are seen as essential elements to revive and rebuild communities. SOHO programs at our welcome places strive to educate, feed, and nurture orphaned children, as well as empower women in the communities to strengthen and protect vulnerable children from harm.

SOHO's Outreach Program focuses on Marekamp, also known as the Squatter's Camp. It is a place of last resort where children are particularly at risk of human trafficking. A ' clean up' campaign engaged the children and youth of the community to make their environment more sanitary. A small garden program was developed which helped to serve many in the community. SOHO has begun a Peer v Leaders program based around soccer and this has been a morale and life skills builder in the community. In addition children are bused every Saturday to a facility where their personal worth is emphasized and where they hear Bible stories, enjoy fellowship with each other and are fed snacks.

Hope Seekers Alliance Children's Village - this mountain farm will be the site of a Children's Village providing education, housing, and basic health care for children at risk. Agriculture and social enterprise will help to make the program sustainable while addressing poverty alleviation in the area. Construction of the village is ongoing. 1. Site preparation 2. Road construction and retaining wall 3. Construction of rondavels