Swaziland Companions
SWAZICOMPANIONS, A Millennium Development Goals Ministry
The active group of SwaziCompanions meets every other month to develop bonds as a spiritual family with our sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Swaziland. Joyful gatherings, such as the annual dessert auction and Eat In To Help Out events, raise funds to support nutrition, education and safe water projects in Swaziland. We partner with Swazi Neighborhood Care Point volunteers, who feed, do health checks and offer living skills education for nearly 900 orphans and other vulnerable children in their care. Join us as companions in prayer, planning and implementation of this vital diocesan-wide mission.
"Eat in To Help Out"
Women's Brunch
Fundraiser for Swaziland
This convivial gathering netted nearly $2186 to directly benefit the feeding programs administered by the Anglican Diocese of Swaziland for orphans and other vulnerable children in their care. The brunch provided good food and lively fellowship as well as a growing appreciation for the women in Swaziland, who have made deep commitments of their own lives and livelihoods to care for impoverished children in their country.
Current Letter from Bishop Scarfe
Letter from Bishop Scarfe about Swaziland
In 2004, a team of people from Episcopal Churches in Iowa went to Swaziland and were invited to enter into a dream to build a school for orphans and other vulnerable children in Mpaka, an impoverished, drought-stricken area in Swaziland. In 2005, Bishop Meshack Mabuza, Anglican Diocese of Swaziland, presented plans to construct a multi-purpose facility to serve as a school, a church, a clinic & a community center in Mpaka, and gave his blessing for this cooperative companions project to proceed. Episcopal parishes and individuals across the dioceses of Iowa and Brechin, Scotland, responded generously with funds to help make the dream come true. Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids, was the major momentum for this project. In 2006, a team of Episcopalians contributed sweat equity to the dream… building blocks with Swazis for the school ~ church ~ clinic ~ community center in Mpaka. By 2008, steel girders were in place and a steel roof had been purchased. In 2009, work began on the foundation and the walls. Through the efforts of Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids, from 2004-2010, and multiple visits to Mpaka from member of this congregation, St. Augustine's facility and church was built. In honor of Christ Episcopal Church's oversight and support of this project the multipurpose facility has been renamed to Christ Church, Swaziland, and will be formally dedicated on April 9, 2011.
For Pictures of the Dedication service please click here.
For the Dedication Announcment please click here.