US Embassy hands over kitchen to Mthunzini High
MBABANE -The United States of America (USA) Embassy in Eswatini has handed over a kitchen to Mthunzini High School under the Somntongo Constituency.
The project was made possible through the Ambassador’s Self-Help Programme.
Speaking during the handover event on Friday, the head teacher, Zodwa Simelane said ever since the school started operating in 2022, they had been using a shack as a kitchen, which was not safe. Simelane said with the new kitchen, the pupils would get food prepared in a safe and clean place.
“We would like to profoundly thank the American Embassy for the help they gave us. Make deputy chief of mission, we are grateful and hope this is not the last project you will help us with. As you can see, the school is still very new and we still need a lot of infrastructure,” Simelane said.
Apart from the kitchen, Simelane shared that teachers were staying at neighbouring homesteads as there were no staff houses at the school.
She also mentioned that the school had no running water, thus they depended on rainwater or bought water from Nhlangano town.
“Inasmuch as we are grateful for rainfall, it poses a lot of problems for us because the road to here becomes inaccessible, resulting in others not coming to work,” she said.
Assistance
Simelane went on to plead with the Ministry of Education and Training to address the challenges faced by the school, more especially by teachers daily.
Furthermore, she thanked the Member of Parliament (MP) for offering assistance to the school through the Regional Development Fund (RDF), promising to build a teacher’s quarters and buy fencing material for the school.
Simelane further thanked the parents for paying school fees for their children, which ensured continuity in the school.
The USA Embassy in Eswatini, Chargé d’Affaires Caitlin Piper said with the new kitchen, they were not just investing in the provision of meals but were nourishing dreams and aspirations. Piper said every child deserved access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances.
“One of the most amazing parts of the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Grant Programme is that it is much more than just a financial contribution from the United States. It is an opportunity for a community to work together on a common goal,” Piper said.