CHILD SPONSORSHIP INITIATIVE

As Challenge Ministries established ICBCs across Eswatini they continually encountered large numbers of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs) living within the communities being served. For Eswatini, the consequence for being the country with the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world is that there are now more than 350,000 OVCs living within its borders. That is a staggering 58% of Eswatini’s children.  Furthermore, it is estimated that 1 in 10 households are led by a child. Many of these underprivileged children live on homesteads with limited access to shelter, clothing, food, and clean water. Oftentimes OVC’s are unable to have even one good meal a day.  

Challenge Ministries had to develop a strategy for serving orphaned and vulnerable children within the ICBCs. It became clear that creating a preschool as a part of the ICBC would allow the ICBC to meet the spiritual, emotional, physical, and educational needs of these children. Regularly having OVCs on the ICBC property would allow the pastor to oversee how the children were managing day to day. 

The preschools were designed to be safe places for children to gather; places where they are welcomed and nurtured; places where their basic needs are being met; and most importantly places where Jesus’ love is not only taught but demonstrated and experienced.