THE MORIAH CENTRE – BIG BEND – SWAZILAND
The Spirit of the Almighty LORD is with me because the LORD has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people. He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released.
Isaiah 61 v 1 (God’s Word)
The Moriah Centre
Swaziland
Swaziland is a landlocked country located in southern Africa bordering Mozambique and South Africa – with an area of 17 thousand square kilometres, it is the smallest country in Africa and is slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey. Swaziland’s economy very much resembles that of a developing nation with 70% of the population employed in agriculture and a poverty rate of 69%. It has a population of 1.1 million people and GDP of $1.8 billion. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. For example, more than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2004-05 because of drought.
Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world. Polygamy is practiced among much of the population, contributing to the spread of HIV\AIDS. Marital infidelity is generally expected, and remaining faithful to one’s spouse is a foreign concept to many. The family and the local community are highly regarded institutions, but as HIV/AIDS devastates families, these establishments are crumbling. Most orphans are no longer raised within their villages, but are forced out into the street or into institutions not rooted within a community. Grandparents, mainly grandmothers who had expected to be taken care of in their old age find themselves raising another generation of children.
Although Christianity is the dominant religion statistically, many who claim to follow Christ are still involved in various forms of witchcraft. Some pastors still consult witchdoctors rather than Scripture. About one-fifth of the people practice African Traditional Religion, which is incorporated into every aspect of their lives.
Swaziland’s children are in great need. The Moriah Centre – a Care Centre for Orphans and Vulnerable Children – hope to be able to meet some of these needs.
