Accommodation at Lidwala Lodge:

Lidwala Lodge, located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley, serves as the base for volunteers during their time in Eswatini. The lodge offers dormitory-style rooms, where volunteers have the chance to live and socialize with other like-minded individuals who share the same passion for making a difference. The communal living environment fosters a sense of camaraderie, collaboration, and friendship among volunteers.

Lidwala Lodge dormitory-style room

Comfortable Dorms:

The dormitory-style rooms provided by Lidwala Lodge ensure that volunteers have a comfortable place to rest and recharge after their busy day of volunteering. The rooms are equipped with cosy beds, clean linens, and secure lockers for personal belongings. This setup ensures that volunteers have a safe and relaxing space to unwind, connect with other volunteers, and reflect on their experiences.

A group of volunteers conquering the Sheba’s Breast hiking trail, embracing nature’s beauty and forging lasting bonds.

Delicious Meals:

Lidwala Lodge takes care of volunteers’ nutritional needs by offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner as part of their stay. These meals are typically served buffet-style and feature a variety of local and international dishes to cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. Volunteers can look forward to enjoying delicious and wholesome meals, providing them with the energy and nourishment needed for their volunteer activities.

Community Living Experience:

Staying at Lidwala Lodge not only provides a comfortable place to rest but also offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in a vibrant and inclusive community. Volunteers have the chance to interact with fellow volunteers from around the world, sharing stories, cultural experiences, and forming meaningful connections. The communal living experience fosters a sense of unity and friendship, enabling volunteers to support and learn from one another.

An amazing team of volunteers, smiling together in front of the picturesque Lidwala Lodge deck, creating lifelong memories

Additional Amenities:

In addition to comfortable accommodation and delicious meals, Lidwala Lodge offers various amenities and facilities for volunteers to enjoy during their free time. These may include a swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, internet access, a bar, and communal spaces for socializing and relaxation. Volunteers can take advantage of these amenities to unwind, recharge, and connect with others after their volunteer work.

Volunteers bonding and connect with each other after a fulfilling day of making a difference

Volunteering with All Out Africa in Eswatini not only provides an incredible opportunity to make a positive impact but also ensures a comfortable and enjoyable living experience at Lidwala Lodge. With dormitory-style rooms, delicious meals, and a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, volunteers can create lifelong memories while collaborating on meaningful projects. The accommodation and living arrangements at Lidwala Lodge foster a sense of camaraderie and provide a safe refuge for volunteers to rest, reflect, and recharge. So, get ready to embark on an unforgettable volunteer journey in Eswatini, where both personal growth and a sense of community await.

Contact bookings@alloutafrica.com to book your next volunteer experience.

In my short time so far in Eswatini, I have been first-hand able to experience some of the bottom-up initiatives aimed at elevating future economic enterprises in the country, with a considerable emphasis on youth empowerment. I have been fortunate enough to have been able to contribute to entrepreneurship classes aimed at building the skills that many of the youth currently regrettably lack, but yet need in order to succeed in building their own profitable start-ups. In present-day Eswatini among the youth, there is an unemployment rate ranging from 40%-70% throughout the kingdom, something that has only been exacerbated by the covid pandemic. Through my research, as well as when chatting to students in the class I have come across a recurring theme where young adults have been forced to abandon their livelihood during the pandemic and now find it increasingly hard to regain their previous source of income.

Alexander presents his findings.

In response to this, classes such as the one I’ve been part of have sprung up across the country, aiming to help young adults provide for themselves rather than have to face the limited other opportunities around. During these classes, I have been able to hear some of the business ideas and plans that different individuals have put forward, and what has struck me the most is the range of ideas coming from such a small group. Plans ranged from selling electrical services to exporting poultry abroad as far as the UAE as well as developing a mobile system where patients are more easily able to track their daily symptoms; thus grossly helping medical professionals in diagnosing ailments quicker and supplying cures more efficiently. What has become clear in my short stint so far is that this is a deeply resourceful group of young adults who definitely want to ameliorate their future, and I have felt fortunate to learn from them and try to help them in any way can. Lessons, despite the vast amount of content covered, are light-hearted and I believe that they are taking in what is being said and doing their best to try to gain the skills that will help them a great deal in the future.

During my time here in Eswatini, working days have followed a familiar recurring schedule. Around 8:30 every morning I would start off with the research portion of my day, which would normally take me through towards lunch which I would prepare for myself. This would be followed by a short trip downtown towards the local NCP for a 13:30 start which would last through to 15:30, with me presenting my findings to the group as well as answering questions. After returning back to the lodge preparation would begin for research the following day as well as personal work and leisure.

Enterprise development coordinator Mfanukhona facilitating a class.

So far, my research has stemmed from factors affecting entrepreneurship development and the processes needed to create a successful and profitable micro-enterprise. I have taken a deeper look at the importance of an effective business plan, as well as what it should contain, marketing; the debate of online vs traditional methods, and the significance of primary and secondary research in performing a SWOT analysis. All of the above processes help in identifying your competitors and target market. When identifying the factors that affect entrepreneurship development I did my best to keep it relevant to Eswatini so that it would best engage my audience when presenting. This was most easily done when trying to find Business Development Services in the kingdom for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). An extract of my research from this section can be seen below.

‘When you start a business it is important to look for potential investors. They can be useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, they will provide seed capital to start the business. Secondly, they assist in business planning for a startup. Thirdly, they are profit oriented hence they will ensure that capital is invested in the correct way and can be consulted with. There are a number of investors in Eswatini who offer such services. The Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) is a Government supported organisation established in 1970 with the mandate to create, develop and promote Small, Micro & Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) throughout the Kingdom of Eswatini. This makes it one of the largest and most reputable investors.  The Industrial Development Company Of Eswatini (IDCE) is another example of a well known lender that offers agricultural, corporate and SME loans.

 SME, Small Medium Enterprise, loans are targeted and suitable to every sector of the economy for purposes of funding of goods or services required by the business. An example of the terms for an SME loan from IDCE are:

Minimum: E10 000 (Swazi lilangeni)

Maximum: E1.5 million

Repayment Period: 3 – 5 years

Security: should be able cover 100% of the total debt

Promoter’s Contribution: a minimum of 20% of the total project total cost

What was at the heart of the lessons was an attempt to try to change the mindset of Swazis in order to allow them to think more like entrepreneurs. In order to do this, I tried to include a section in my work on initial ideas that needed to be considered when starting a business as well as considering your ‘why,’ as nine times out of ten a larger goal than simply to make money is what drove the world’s richest individuals when they first started their own businesses. An individual’s why could be to have a positive impact on the environment or to help elevate their local community. Pairing this with an idea that is profitable and that they are talented will more than likely lead to a successful initial business, assuming that external factors remain constant.

Written by Pama Alexander, Microfinance intern 

Breathtaking views of the Jozini Lake

The Royal Jozini’s vegetation is predominantly mixed acacia bushveld; fever-tree riverine forest, Marula forest, open savannah plains, craggy mountain escarpment and the seasonal flood plains on the shore of the lake which offers wonderful game viewing.

Interns on a game drive learning to identify various wildlife at Royal Jozini

The diverse topography from the top of the Lebombo mountains to the lake results in a wide variety of habitats and ecosystems that support an abundance of biodiversity, including 450 species of birds and larger wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, waterbuck, bushbuck, kudu, jackal, hyena, crocodile and hippo.

Herd of elephants at Royal Jozini

What activities will the intern be involved in?

Interns will experience hands-on field research relevant to the conservation of the savannah ecosystem of Eswatini within a larger trans-frontier conservation area. Participants in this project may assist with a range of activities depending on the time of year. The project is focused on ecological research and hands-on conservation, in the private Royal Jozini game reserve. Activities will include biodiversity surveys concentrating on rodents, ungulates, predators, birds and vegetation as part of a long-term savannah monitoring program. This will involve field walks and drives into the bush to set up camera traps or Sherman live traps and other harmless biodiversity surveying techniques and then revisiting these and recording information on the animals and plants observed.

Interns having a bonfire night

Hands-on conservation tasks may include fence patrols and maintenance, erosion control, alien invasive plant removal and community outreach.

Interns removing alien invasive plants at Royal Jozini

Other activities may include threatened species surveys and computer data entry and assisting with camp chores. Participants will learn wildlife field survey techniques, learn to identify various wildlife, gain conservation experience and will have the opportunity to observe and discuss a range of current issues facing conservation in Africa.

Accommodation and meals

Participants will be living on-site in a private camp on the reserve, accommodation will be in 2-man tents, fitted with mattresses and pillows. Three meals a day will also be provided, some on a self serve basis and others cooked for them.

2-man tent, fitted with mattresses and pillows at Royal Jozini

If this looks like an internship that you would like to be a part of, email us at bookings@alloutafrica.com with a little bit more about you along with your CV. We would love to meet you and get started!

The beginning of the trip

For those who don’t know, I took a second big trip to South Africa and Eswatini. This trip was not only travelling, it included also volunteering.

So first thing first.

Back home, I was searching if it was possible to travel and to my surprise it was possible. But it was a bit harder, I was searching for countries and there it was: a volunteering project. The project involved a little bit of travelling and volunteering. I was curious and clicked on it and after reading the itinerary I was so excited and decided to go for it!

The first day

On the first day, I had a great experience. It began with a warm welcome at the airport from our best All Out Africa staff member Bob. And a first great experience with the other volunteers and the staff in the Kruger Park. From the first moment, the group was so close. I had the best time and a lot of inside jokes. I was sad that I had to leave the stunning place and the staff with all their wisdom about nature and animals. And I will miss the funny stories. 

A special thanks to Adriaan our ranger. Or shall I say, Andrew? But also Phayo, Bob and Roland for this great experience. Most of all for your patience with us with our silly and weird questions, we had a great time. 

A group photo at Kruger Park National                     

Volunteering project

Then it was time for the next experience where we came for the volunteering, in Eswatini, one of the smallest countries in the African continent with stunning scenery. We had a second big warm welcome from the All Out Africa and the Lidwala lodge staff. Lidwala Lodge became our second home, a beautiful lodge surrounded by a lot of nature.

After settling down, we had two orientations and followed by a guided tour in one of the most famous and iconic residential villages Lobamba. It was finally time for volunteering. And there it was: our first day, It all started with the Kombis (the public transport) it is so different from home, but luckily Eunice the NCP coordinator was with us for guidance.

A group photo captured after our Eswatini orientation

The bus is very small and it is called a kombi, If you need a kombi,  you just stand near the road and wave at the kombi. The kombi stops for you and you say your stash (drop off place) and you get in. Sometimes you have a place and sometimes not. The first time it was a little bit scary, but luckily the people were so helpful and always keen to help, especially when we were wearing our volunteering shirts.

Eswatini mode of transport (Kombi)

Back to the story, together with Femke my NCP buddy, we went to our NCP for the first time, which is in Mvutjini (in the beginning, we didn’t pronounce it right and that gave us a lot of laughter). We were in shock the first time at our NCP, to be honest. It was so different from home, we came to realize that we were so privileged. Besides a lot of love from the teacher, the school didn’t have much, they have to work with almost nothing because they rely on donations.

Children playing at Mvutjini NCP

NCP which stands for neighbourhood care point is an informal preschool, most of the underprivileged and orphans in the Kingdom go to an NCP for education and there are eight NCPs that are supported by All Out Africa. One of the interesting things about the NCPs is that the teachers are not professional teachers but they are passionate about working with children and want to give them a good future. You can say the teachers are volunteers too. At the NCPs they are not only providing pre-education, but they also provide meals for the children and do sports with them. They get a chance for a brighter future. I love to be a part of that. I know I can’t change the world, but every step helps.

An obstacle course race at the NCP

Preparing a meal for the NCP children

The workshop

I was thinking: how can I do more? I know about the development of children. Back home, I have a degree and I am a specialist in the development of children from 0-6 years old. After a lot of thinking and discussing with the other volunteers, we found a solution to help a little.

We had the idea to make a program with suggestions for the whole school year. Together with the other volunteers, we set up a book to teach children how to write. The staff from All Out Africa was happy and asked if we can do more with this project. So the project became bigger and bigger. Together with Eunice, the NCP coordinator, we came with the idea to give all the NCP teachers a workshop. I was so excited because I love to host workshops.

And there it was: a workshop about the development of pre-writing and the stages. The biggest and most important message was how a child learns through play.

The day of the workshop was here and I was so nervous because I had to host a workshop in English which is not my first language. That day, we had to face a big problem. This day there weren’t driving Kombis. So the staff had to improvise. Simise (Marketing Coordinator and Team leader) and Michael (Building and Sports coordinator) had to drive all the volunteers to the NCP”s and collect all the teachers to Lidwala Lodge where we hosted the workshop. So it took a little bit longer until I could start with the workshop. The nerves got me, but then there was the lovely Tiphiwe (she works at the office and every day she has the patience to listen to me for a nice little chat). She was comforting me. During the workshop, Simise (the team leader with the funniest laugh) was supporting me.

NCP teachers during their workshop

During the workshop, every minute I felt more and more comfortable doing it in another language. We had a good conversation and exchanged knowledge and experiences. It was a nice workshop. The teachers were very happy and asked a lot of questions. They were so curious and were willing to learn things. It was a big pleasure to meet all the teachers and give them this workshop.

Lastly, I want to give a big shout out to the other volunteers to help me set this up. And a big thanks to All Out Africa for giving me this opportunity. 

Myself, Simise and the NCP teachers after the workshop

It is so beautiful to see that there are people in this world that are willing to help the unprivileged. And that they give them a chance. A big compliment to the staff from All Out Africa, that they are so dedicated and took us, the volunteers, under their wings for this big impression.

Group photo with All Out Africa staff and volunteers

If you want to know more about All Out Africa, donate or volunteer. Just look at their website or feel free to approach them with questions. If you want to know more inside information from the volunteers about this experience, the staff from All Out Africa can help you to get in contact with me or the other volunteers.

Thank you and best wishes,

Written by Shirley Ramkhelawan

Click here if you would like to know more about our Safari tour, or our Volunteering programs.

All Out Africa volunteer helping a primary school child with his school work pre-COVID.

Education in Eswatini (Eswatini) before COVID-19

Education in Eswatini (Eswatini) before COVID-19 was widely accessible but left plenty of room for improvement. Adult literacy in Eswatini was 88% in 2018 which is well above the average of 65% in sub-Saharan Africa, but below the average of 98% in Europe and Central Asia in 2018. The quality of education needs improvement. In southern Africa, 80% of ten-year-olds are not able to read and understand a simple story – known as learning poverty. Enrollment in High school in Eswatini is around 82%  and of these the dropout rate is about 14%. A major challenge for the parents and guardians of many high school students in Eswatini is the relatively high cost of high school education. Unicef identifies a number of challenges in Eswatini contributing to the high drop-out rates of high school students, including:

• pregnancy,
• the high cost of secondary education,
• high levels of sexual violence, and
• Continuing use of corporal punishment of school children.

Education in Eswatini (Eswatini) and COVID-19, a lost year

In March 2020 the Government of Eswatini (in line with many other countries) declared a state of national disaster owing to the Coronavirus Pandemic and closed down a range of operations including schools. Schools in sub-Saharan Africa shut for an average of 23 weeks. However, schools in Eswatini remained shut for a whole year.

Children from Ezulwini Neighbourhood Care Point.

While efforts have been made to offer some form of education to the thousands of children needing it in Eswatini, lack of access to devices and the high cost of the internet (one of the highest in the world has prevented most children from learning during this time. We have lost a year of education in Eswatini. What is the impact of this? It has yet to be determined but is likely a devastating blow setting many children in Eswatini at a distinct disadvantage.

The impact of a break-in Education

For now, the impact of the school closures in Eswatini on children’s education is not known. A study of children affected by an earthquake in 2005 in Pakistan found that classrooms closing for 3 months resulted in children falling behind by one and a half years. Eswatini should focus a concerted effort on catching up on the lost education of the past year and capitalize on any opportunities to improve the level of education.

Hope for Education in Eswatini

At All Out Africa, we believe that pre-school education provides an essential foundation for successful school learning. We work together with the Ministry of Education, communities and some of our loyal past volunteers to help provide quality pre-school learning for disadvantaged children.

We believe that completion of school is important for all. We would love to see a solution for the high cost of high school education in Eswatini. Tackling this should really be a national priority. We do work together with communities and schools to identify children in need of sponsorship and try to source donors to support their attendance but this is a tiny drop in the ocean and a better long-term solution by the government is needed.

All Out Africa volunteer assisting with teaching at the Neighbourhood Care Point pre-COVID.

We believe that apprenticeship or field-based learning is an essential element of successful tertiary education. We believe that learning by doing is the best way to develop real career skills and to help address the challenge of youth unemployment we run an internship program that connects interns with career opportunities. Interested in supporting this project? Interested in being an intern? Interested in employing an intern?.

An intern during an internship placement pre-COVID.

We also run a field education facility in Eswatini for environmental studies (the Savannah Research Centre) and work with the University of Eswatini and the University of Florida to support tertiary students to carry out field-based learning activities here. We also run a field education facility in Tofo, Mozambique (the Marine Research Centre) and work with the Edwardo Mondlane University and Louisiana State University to support tertiary students to carry out field-based learning activities here. We train Swazi’s and Mozambicans here to become skilled local ecologists which is an important need if we are to address the environmental challenges facing the region. Interested in supporting this project?

Savannah Research Centre team setting up a motion dictator camera. (The photo was taken during the pre-COVID period).

We welcome anyone interested in supporting or getting involved in these projects to help improve education in Eswatini and southern Africa.