Girl (7) youngest household head
MBABANE – The youngest child-headed household is headed by a seven-year-old girl.
This is according to latest statistics released by World Vision Eswatini (WVE).
Living in one of Eswatini’s rural communities, *Lindo never knew her mother while her father died when she was two years of age.
When the father died, she left the children in the care of her elderly mother.
Unfortunately the elderly mother later died too.
Lindo also takes care of her two younger siblings with help and donations she gets from neighbours and good Samaritans.
These statistics were shared by the Acting National Director of World Vision, Banele Nkambule.
He shared that Lindo’s case was of the many other child-headed families they came across when executing their duties.
It was also revealed that Lindo’s mother disappeared without registering her birth.
This meant Lindo could not attend school like her age mates.
“As World Vision, we come across such people in the communities and we actually see their situation every day. We try to assist but there is still a big gap like access to food and clean water,’’said Nkambule.
With this, Nkambule said Lindo was the youngest household head where she also took care of other younger siblings.
“Following the loss of both parents, Lindo could only rely on help from neighbours but even they have their own problems and can only do so much to help,’’ said Nkambule.
In addition, he mentioned that Lindo’s future looked bleak as they still had not registered her for a birth certificate to perhaps one day find employment or pursue studies.
Challenges
He further said children may face many challenges and they needed them for protection under such conditions.
According to the organisation, there are 400 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in the country and they all need some sort of help.
Another child-headed homestead is situated at Msunduza where a 10-year old girl takes care of four siblings aged between five and three years of age.
*Sindi takes care of her siblings by selling her wares at the Mbabane Market.
Sindi also cleans houses to care for her family.
Their parents left them when they were a bit younger than they are now.
According to some community members, no one has ever seen the children’s parents.
Earlier this month, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a child-headed households farming project between Esicojeni Foundation and World Vision.
The project is aimed at humanitarian organisation, whose focus is on improving the lives of children and helping alleviate suffering by reducing vulnerability among children.
Over 400 OVC-headed households were expected to benefit across the four regions of the country. On this, WVE shared that they were truly grateful for the availed funds and opportunity.
“WVE will match the E400 000 from Esicojeni Foundation to ensure the project reaches a bit more of those in need. We are also indebted to the DPM’s Office for supporting our work to reach more of those in need to try to make a difference in their lives,’’ said Nkambule.