Friends of Eswatini (FOE) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) dedicated to supporting current developmental activities in the Kingdom of Eswatini. FOE is affiliated with the National Peace Corps Association.
FOE focuses on information sharing about the country and promoting cross-cultural support of Eswatini’s social, health and economic development in collaboration with Peace Corps Volunteers and other individuals and organizations associated with the country.
The Kingdom of Eswatini, a small, predominantly rural, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, is governed by an absolute monarchy, and King Mswati III has ultimate authority over the cabinet, legislature, and judiciary. A new constitution came into effect in 2006, which included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear. King Mswati III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in April 2018.
While Eswatini has the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, recent years have shown marked declines in new infections and efforts have been pursued by the Government to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control through increasing access to comprehensive HIV services. The Ministry of Health and the National Emergency Response Council for HIV and AIDS are tasked with the responsibility of developing a responsive health system that meets the needs of all people, including those living with and affected by HIV in Eswatini.
Peace Corps Volunteers in Eswatini work with their communities on locally prioritized projects in Youth in Development and Health sectors. To date, almost 1,900 people have served as Peace Corps Volunteers in the Kingdom during two program periods: 1969-1996, and 2003-present day.
In 2003, Peace Corps received an invitation to reopen its program in the Kingdom to focus on the increasing HIV epidemic and in 2011, Peace Corps launched a Youth Development program to build the capacity of young people to live healthy and productive lives. The Kingdom’s Peace Corps Volunteers may also serve in the Peace Corps Response program, a program established for experienced professionals to undertake short-term, high-impact service assignments with partner organizations, or as Advancing Health Professionals responding specifically to the critical needs expressed by the Ministry of Health and echoed by Eswatini Nursing Council for nursing leadership and management mentorship.
Through governance provided by a FOE Board of Directors, generous donations from members and other FOE fundraising efforts allow Friends of Eswatini to provide financial support for PCV-led projects in Eswatini or provide direct funding to Eswatini-based organizations. Over the last decade, FOE supported Vusumnotfo, Bantwana Project (World Education Initiative), Possible Dreams International, Young Heroes Foundation, Pasture Valley, Swazi SHEROES, The Luke Commission, Cabrini Ministries, Pasture Valley Children’s Home, and Fundza organizations.
Friends of Eswatini strives to maintain a low overhead and leverage the skills and assets of members and volunteers while focusing on locally identified projects that add value to the lives of those living in the Kingdom. Friends of Eswatini is also thrilled to engage with active PCVs and provide resources to Peace Corps Partnership Programs with a wide range of essential activities that include income generating projects, Art Reach-Artists workshops for social development, Books for Swaziland, school-based library projects, Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World), and Camp BRO (Boys Reaching Out), the Manzini Nursing Education Project and infrastructure support to several Neighborhood Care Points.
We welcome new members! Membership in FOE enables you to directly impact PCV activities and those of other organizations in the Kingdom, while engaging with former volunteers and friends. Friends of Eswatini is always interested in new members and initiatives to increase our effectiveness of support to organizations and PCVs working in Eswatini. Other individuals who are concerned about development related to the Kingdom of Eswatini and efforts in southern African countries are more than welcome to participate and learn more about our ongoing efforts. Please join us, share your ideas, and get involved! You can donate directly through the FOE’s webpage (https://www.friendsofeswatini.org) or if you are a member of the National Peace Corps Association, through their webpage
(https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/affiliate/friends-of-eswatini/ ).