Eswatini has a population of 1.25 million, with 67% living below the poverty level. The country also has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world and a high suicide rate among its youth.There are other challenges. It is overwhelming when you hold a little girl on your lap, knowing that before learning her ABCs, she was sexually abused. Prostitution is common for young women because they see no other alternative to poverty. Exposed to drinking as preteens, boys often become alcoholics before age 18.

As SOHO strives to change this small corner of the world, we are grateful for the support and guidance Andrews University has given over the course of our decade-plus partnership. Their assistance has aided in the development of our infrastructure,

My winter visit to Eswatini was impactful from the get-go. The jam-packed agenda included our annual Hope Rising summit, which focused on gender-based violence this year.  We are grateful to our partners at the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse, who helped organize, publicize and produce this very impactful event.

A key objective of this trip was to prepare for the first children to be admitted to Lentsaba Children’s Village…

Our journey to develop Lentsaba has had many challenges. The cost of building materials has skyrocketed, and government requirements have increased. We have a donor willing to furnish the homes, but urgently need help with funds for staffing, support services and security.

As you plan your year-end giving, please help us to open the door to the children who are waiting for the gift of a safe, inviting home. From our hearts — and theirs ­— we thank you!

My heart overflows with thankfulness. Not because our mission of serving orphans and other vulnerable children in Eswatini is anywhere close to manageable, but because I see exciting rays of hope.

I see gogos who are caring for a dozen or more children in cramped spaces take on new life. SOHO is teaching them to plant gardens to supplement the monthly food parcels they receive from us, and they find joy in the exercise.

Entering the Marekamp slums in Sidvokodvo, you hear 150 to 180 children singing as they say grace to enjoy the hot lunch that SOHO provides daily. Pathfinder clubs (Scouting teams) are being started so children learn discipline, communication, camping and more…

Lives are being changed by acts of generosity and gifts of compassion. A few examples: A teenage American pianist visited Eswatini to share her talents with children who have not been exposed to classical music, yet understood her songs are about love and hope. Teen girls, left to languish in hopelessness because poverty prevents them from being in school, are getting a new lease on life. Grannies in Spokane are creating quilts to welcome Swazi children who have nothing into homes that will mean everything. Children at the Marekamp squatter’s camp are receiving hot meals and the chance to learn at our Hope Discovery Learning Center…

Check out the latest at the SOHO website! You’ll discover LENTSABA (The Mountain), our 1,065-acre acre farm where we’re growing an agricultural program and a children’s village. While SOHO remains the parent organization, all sustainably produced goods will be branded under Lentsaba, including macadamia nuts, honey and handicrafts. Look out for the Lentsaba logo as our new face, while our administrative operations remain under SOHO. It’s a fresh look, but our mission remains the same. When you spot LENTSABA, know that it’s SOHO hard at work for the children we support…

As the year comes to a close, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for being a friend, supporter, donor, prayer partner, advocate. In any of the ways you have shown your interest in our work and your concern for the vulnerable children we serve, know that you are appreciated…

Sometimes it takes a while for God to answer prayers but at SOHO we have learnt that He is never late. For almost a decade we prayed for land with Title /Deed that SOHO could purchase on which to build safe homes. Just before the COVID outbreak, that land, now Lentsaba Farm, was purchased.