ESWATINI (formerly Swaziland) CARE POINT 

Emmanuel began partnering in 2018 with the community of eNhlanhleni in Swaziland to support a ministry known as a Care Point. Over 250 children are registered at the Care Point where they are fed a solid meal each day. In addition, they are discipled to know Jesus and walk a consistent Christian life, are given tuition assistance to attend high school (only elementary education is free in Eswatini), are provided with grief counselling and given the opportunity to join in leadership training.

Swaziland has the world’s highest rate of HIV/Aids infection and many of these children are orphans, or abandoned by one or more parents, and are cared for by grandparents or other family members who are often overwhelmed with the financial burden. eNhlanhleni is in one of the poorest regions of Swaziland with a high rate of unemployment. Its people value their partnership with us and are working hard cooking the food, collecting the firewood and helping build or clean up around the grounds as needed.

The eNhlanhleni Care Point is one of about 36 Care Points operated by an organization know as Adventures in Missions (AIM). Its vision for Eswatini can be viewed here: https://www.eswatinirising.com/

A small team from Emmanuel visited the CarePoint in late May/early June, 2024. It was a wonderful time of getting to know the children, some of their families, the faithful Care Point cooks and the excellent team of Swazi staff members. We were very encouraged by very warm welcome that we received, the relationships built and the very clear signs of God at work in that community. 

In August of 2025, Bob Burkinshaw visited the Care Point in order to continue to strengthen the relationship and to celebrate with the people completion of several projects which they had requested and which we funded.  He observed a continuing need for assistance, with some very poor homesteads that have little means of support, but also noted that the people are very encouraged by what has been happening and are becoming even more engaged in supporting their Care Point.

The projects recently completed: 

- Chicken coop. Completed in 2021 and used as a meeting place for several years but, as of late 2024, used by the cooks to raise broiler chickens for personal use and for sale in the community. The cooks are sharing some of their small profits with the Care Point and said that they are learning about business.

- Soccer field (football pitch). It was wonderful to see a rocky, thorny wasteland turned into a very busy soccer field. The children, like most Swazi’s, are passionate about playing soccer.

Multipurpose building. A reasonably large building both for Care Point meetings as well as community meetings was recently completed and was dedicated on August 23, 2025. This was deemed by the community to be one of the highest priority items and the people are thrilled with the new building which is in almost constant use.  (Please see photos below and the short video of ribbon cutting)

Make’ Ntombi’s house.
In addition to projects requested by the community, the 2024 team felt led to fund a house for Make’ (mother Ntombi), a grandmother who, with her 5 grandchildren, lived in a tiny one room tin shack that leaked badly. When she asked for prayer for an adequate house for her and the grandchildren, our team members felt that God wanted us to be part of answering her prayer. Your contributions have made it possible for a solid 2 room house to be built for here.

Make’ Ntombi’s (and 5 grandchildrens’) house in 2024

Make’s Ntombi’s (and 5 grandchildrens’) new 2 room house in 2025.

Projects funded but still waiting to be completed

- Community Garden. Waiting for finalization of the expansion of the Care Point grounds and further work to enhance the water system.

- Adventure Playground. Awaiting delivery of refurbished playground equipment from the US.

Projects completed in previous years:

- Cooking shelter. Completed and in use for several years.

- Youth program. Fall 2024. So successful that an ongoing mentorship program developed out of it.

Future projects?

The most important thing that we can do is continue supporting the Care Point faithfully. We have partnered with that community for over 7 years and in our visits it became very clear to us that we have earned the trust and appreciation of the people. The Care Point serves a vital need, feeding children who don’t have enough to eat and often helping their families as well. It is also working hard to raise a generation of Christian leaders who can help Eswatini’s people solve their problems.

We are looking forward to receiving in the near future a new “Care Point Plan” which will outline that community’s request for new projects. Any projects must be initiated by the community but we have dropped hints that we would be happy to support projects that help the people grow more food on their land. For those able to find work in that society, wages are very low but food is relatively expensive. Therefore, anything that encourages them to produce more of what they need will make a very big difference.  

Next Planned Team Trip

Peter Spragg is planning to lead a team trip to Eswatini, May 6 – 19, 2026. Please let Peter or Bob Burkinshaw know if you are interested. An informational meeting will be held sometime in the Fall of 2025.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting ministry, please contact Peter Spragg at peter@emmanuellife.com or Bob Burkinshaw at  robert.burkinshaw@gmail.com. 

To view the latest report from eNlanhleni Click Here or see below! 

Missions Trip to Eswatini 20245: