25.01.2012
Swazliland Archdeacon Visits Diocese
USPG and the Church of Ireland are “scratching the itch” of Swaziland’s challenges, according to Archdeacon Bheki Magongo who arrived in Ireland for a month long visit this week.
The Archdeacon met a steady stream of well wishers at an informal reception in Church of Ireland House in Rathmines on Tuesday afternoon. He is here to meet the friends of the church in Swaziland in USPG Ireland and the Church of Ireland. He said he also plans to share the story of Swaziland and highlight the challenges the people face as well as the good side of his country.
Archdeacon Magongo has already visited Limerick and he is now spending two and a half weeks in the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. He will also visit Kilkenny, Waterford and Leitrim.
“The visit came about through USPG who took an interest in Swaziland because of the challenges Swaziland is facing,” the Archdeacon explained. “They thought it would be good to have someone with first hand experience to put a face to what they have shared about Swaziland.”
Swaziland faces huge challenges in the area of HIV and Aids. The country has the highest rates of infection in the world and as a result there are 300,000 orphaned children. Poverty is also a major problem with 75 percent of the population living below the poverty line.
“USPG Ireland is working with the Diocese of Swaziland with the aim of preventing the spread of HIV and providing practical help to individuals and families whose lives have been shattered by HIV and Aids,” explained USPG national director, Linda Chambers who outlined their goal to turn 200 acres of land into a profitable farm that will pay for years of ongoing work.
“This visit is valuable because through meeting the many people in Ireland, including the Bishops’ Appeal, he can bring back hope to Swaziland and tell people here of the work USPG is doing in Swaziland,” she said.
This year Bishops’ Appeal plans to hold a training event for the principals of the 26 Anglican schools in Swaziland to help them find solutions for the challenges they face.
USPG Ireland also helps to support Andrew Symonds, director of development for the Diocese of Swaziland and his wife Rosemary. As USPG Ireland’s eyes and ears on the ground, Andrew will lead the team to establish the farm.
“USPG and the Church of Ireland have started scratching where it itches in Swaziland. We ask that they keep on scratching until it’s better,” Archdeacon Magongo commented.