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), Zuzani@Goshen, Phumelela and Eswatini Early Childhood Network.

Laura was in Eswatini at the height of the AIDS epidemic when the HIV infection rate among women of child-bearing age exceeded 42%, believed to be the highest in the world at the time. She was deeply moved by her experiences and they inspired her last novel, Lying Perfectly Still. Described as a ‘powerful and beautiful story told with empathy and respect’, it was due to be published only a fortnight after her death in early October 2024.

While in Eswatini, Laura met many child-headed families who had lost their parents as a result of the HIV-AIDS pandemic. She was committed to helping them, survivors of sexual abuse and young offenders. Her partner, Michael Wild, organised the collection and contacted the Swaziland Charitable Trust to arrange for the funds raised to be used to support projects that were close to her heart.

Supported Projects

Swatini Action Group Against Abuse

SWAGAA is a non-governmental organization that has been working for over 30 years to end gender-based violence (GBV), sexual abuse and human trafficking in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). SWAGAA was instrumental in setting up One-Stop Centres in Manzini and Nhlangano where survivors of gender-based violence can receive coordinated legal, psychological, clinical support from all the relevant government departments. The grant will help SWAGAA maintain a child-friendly atmosphere at the centres with the provision of toys and play equipment.

Zuzani@Goshen

Goshen serves as a haven and shelter for women and children who are in immediate danger and are fleeing domestic violence. Goshen’s mission is to empower women and children to rebuild their lives, reimagine a hopeful future. The grant was used to furnish the kitchen in the newly built hostel.

Phumelela

Phumelela is a non-profit organization registered in the Kingdom of Eswatini and the United Kingdom. Established in 2016, their mission is to provide culturally appropriate mental health services to all citizens of Eswatini without discrimination based on their experiences, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, or identity. The grant will support the reintegration of young offenders back into their communities to prevent them committing crime again.

Eswatini Early Childhood Network

The Early Childhood Network equips educators, caregivers, families, and communities with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to create transformative learning experiences for young children, including those with special needs. Inclusive play equipment for children with special needs in Manzini will be purchased with the grant.