Our Approach to Funding Projects
The Swaziland Charitable Trust awards grants totaling approximately £40,000 each year to organizations working at community level in Eswatini. Donations made to the Trust directly increase the level of assistance we are able to provide.
Projects are selected based on local need and long-term impact. The examples below reflect the range of organizations and initiatives supported by the Trust. Further details on funded projects can be found in the Trust’s newsletters.
All Out Africa
Building materials for a Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP) catering for young vulnerable children
Yebo Art Reach
Development of a community arts centre
Sigcaweni Clinic
Restoration and renovation of entire clinic
Zuzani@Gosheni
Furnishings for a new women’s refuge
Siteki Primary School for the Deaf
Employ a Deaf teaching assistant for vocational training
Vusweni Youth Project
Fencing and borehole for community garden
Malamlela Primary School
Construction of toilets and school kitchen
Project Funding
Recent Grants Awarded
Grants are awarded two to three times each year. Below is a selection of organisations that have recently received funding support.
Our Programs
Orphan Sponsorship Programme
The Orphan Sponsorship Programme supports the education of vulnerable children across Eswatini. More than 120 children are typically enrolled at any given time, with each child supported by an individual sponsor. Since the programme began in 2004, hundreds of children have received sponsorship, enabling many to complete their schooling.
Several of the earliest sponsored students have gone on to finish high school, with some pursuing careers as teachers, nurses, and agriculturalists. As education costs increase significantly at secondary level—due to higher school fees, uniform expenses, and travel distances—a dedicated fund was established to ensure that promising students can continue their education when individual sponsorship alone is no longer sufficient. The fund has been expanded to support the most with tertiary education.
Schools
Support for education is central to fulfilling our aims. The SCT assistance has included classroom construction, school electrification, the provision of agricultural equipment, boreholes, libraries, domestic science equipment and orphan support.
Swaziland Schools Projects
Swaziland Schools Projects (SSP) supports the education of children and adults in Eswatini. Since 2018, the trust has administered its bursary scheme for high school students. SSP was a keen supporter of Father Jack Dobson’s bursary scheme. When he became seriously ill in December 2017, the SCT ensured that the students supported by his scheme continued their education uninterrupted. The ninety-eight students were then supported financially by SSP.
The trust continues monitor supported students and identifies new students to replace those graduating. The SSP pays their fees and contributes towards the trust’s administration costs.
The trust also supports dozens of orphaned and vulnerable children with uniforms and school fees throughout their school life.
Running for a brighter future
Runners in the October Royal Parks Half Marathon in London have transformed the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children supported by the SCT. Thanks to their amazing efforts, students are being supported through their degree courses in Eswatini.
The next run is scheduled for 2027. Let us know if you would like to run.
In memory of Laura Fish
Family, friends, colleagues, and readers raised £3,547 to honour the memory of author and academic Laura Fish. Thanks to their generosity, four organisations in Eswatini were supported: Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA), a non-governmental organization that has been working for over 30 years to end gender-based violence (GBV), sexual abuse and human trafficking; Zuzani@Goshen, a haven and shelter for women and children who are in immediate danger and are fleeing domestic violence; Phumelela, to support the reintegration of young offenders back into their communities; and Eswatini Early Childhood Network, providing transformative learning experiences for young children, including those with special needs.
