The SCT makes grants equalling approximately £40,000 annually. Donations made to the Trust, increase the assistance we can give. The selection of projects, recipients and partners below will give a flavour of the Trust’s programme. Further details can be found in the Trust’s newsletters.
 Parents help build the classrooms at Ndunayithini. |
A U$50,000* grant from the CLSA Chairman’s Trust, in February 2009 helped six community schools build classrooms and a seventh build a school kitchen. At all the schools, the CLSA donation supplements the contributions of parents and communities helping them build a brighter future for their children. CLSA is a leading independent brokerage and investment group in Asia Pacific markets. Projects supported by the CLSA Chairman’s Trust • A Form V classroom at Bhunya High School. • A block of classrooms at Ndunayithini High School. • A library at Lamawandla High School. • A classroom and science lab at Mnjoli High School. • New classrooms at Faye’s Academy. • A school kitchen at Lwandle Primary School and • A block of classrooms at Ekutsimleni Primary School. |
| Most rural communities are very poor, reliant on small plots, erratic rainfall patterns and remittances from relatives working in the cities and neighbouring countries. The SCT supports the most determined of these communities and the CLSA Grant has allowed the Trust to extend its support. The SCT Chairperson, Vicky McDonaugh, is proud of its track record: "To be successful, the projects we support need vision, skills and money. When all three are matched the benefits are great. When I hear the Swazi children sing, I know that what the SCT is doing to help their schools is not only right but inspired. These children have nothing in the way of material wealth but at school they have the chance to learn and express their love of life." |
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| Focus on Elwandle R.C. Primary School Elwandle R.C. Primary School serves the poor communities on the outskirts of Manzini, the commercial hub of Swaziland. Since the start of the HIV/AIDS epidemic the head-teacher, Busisiwe Mamba, has sought to ensure that no orphaned children are turned away. The school serves desperately poor communities, both on the outskirts of the town and in the neighbouring rural areas. The basic meal provided at school is commonly the only full meal many children will eat. Meals are funded from school fees charged to parents, supplemented by donations. The SCT supports 35 orphans at this school. Busisiwe explains the importance of the school kitchen: "Food is the great problem at school; no food, no learning. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has left children orphaned and vulnerable and many pupils are now heads of their families. Sadly, they don’t have breakfast and come to school on an empty stomach. Some of our children are also taking ARV’s [medication for HIV/AIDS] so the teachers need to see to it that they don’t take their medication on an empty stomach." |
 Assembly at Lwandle Primary School |
| The new kitchen will benefit all at the school but it will transform the lives of these children. It will enable us to give them all two meals a day; thin porridge, just to put something in the stomach before starting school, and then maize and beans for their lunch. It will decrease malnutrition and allow the children to concentrate on their studies. Having a special place to prepare meals and store food and utensils will also improve school hygiene and cleanliness. It will allow teachers to banish food from the classrooms further improving the learning environment." * The U$50,000 grant approximately equalled E485,000 (E = Emalangeni -plural), the local currency. The value of the Lilangeni (singular) is tied to and equal to that of the South African Rand. |
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