Saturday morning my colleague was going out to a rural community for work with one of the ‘Girls Empowerment Clubs.’ The clubs are in 8 schools in Swaziland, they are an opportunity for girls to get together, learn and discuss issues that affect them. One of the girls in the Ngcoseni High School club had mobilized her co-members to go and help a Go-Go (grandmother) who was living in poverty.
By the time we got to the rural community, Mankayane, the 20 girls had collected firewood for the family. They were waiting beside the pile of wood and the food supplies they had bought with their own money. I have never been involved with the girls clubs, but as soon as I got out of the car I got a hug from every single girl there. Their energy was fantastic.
I do not think that I can properly describe the poverty that was in that homestead without sounding like I am sensationalising the situation. There were two Go-Gos, wearing tight tight belts to silence their hungry bellies, a granddaughter who was lying in bed sick (looked very much like AIDS), and her two children, about 2 and 4, one with no clothes and the older one ashamed of her little sisters presentation, trying to find some clothes for her.
I was designated photographer for the event. The girls were very excited at the possibility of getting their photograph into the newspaper. They cleaned the fire pit, swept the yard, borrowed pots from neighbours, cooked some food and washed the two girls. One of the girls from the club, Samkelisiwe, filled a container with water, washed the 2 year old, was given a dress from her 4 year old sister who was more then willing to take the love and moisturised the 2 year from head to toe. I’ve attached that photograph, which I call ‘Love.’ The experience was simply amazing. We at SWAGAA are working on getting together that story for the newspaper.
