Impact on food security

By Kevin & Helen Ward

As of 30 March 2021, the total cases of Corona Virus stand at 17,326, of which 16,427 recovered and 667 total deaths. We have one confirmed COVID 19 case in Bulembu this month as we continue doing the testing. The person is currently under quarantine.

The impact of COVID 19 continues to undermine the development progress in the country and negatively affects the food security of the most vulnerable sectors of the population. This is mainly due to the loss of employment as businesses are closed, and high commodity prices due to lock down and strict COVID 19 measures.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) – an innovative multi-partner initiative for improving food security and nutrition analysis and decision-making – from April to September 2021 the number of people facing high acute food insecurity will be around 209,000. With help from our friends and partners, Challenge Ministries continues to support orphans and vulnerable children in our care with food pack distribution in the preschools and home care.

Psalm 121:1-8

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord, theMaker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip— he whowatches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you— the Lordis your shade at your right hand; 

6 the sun will not harm you by day, northe moon by night. 

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 

8 the Lord will watch over your comingand going both now and forevermore.

Vaccination started

Recently, the Kingdom of Eswatini has joined many countries around the world in rolling out a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The vaccination will be done in phases, starting with health workers, followed by the elderly and those with comorbidities, then those at high risk of exposure to the COVID 19 virus, and lastly all other individuals above 18 years of age.

The government has also lifted some of the partial lockdown restrictions by allowing religious gathering under strict observance of COVID 19 protocols, gradually opening schools using a rotational and blended approach, and allowing transportation to operate at 100% capacity. This allows us to open the Potter’s Wheel church and welcoming our members who are longing to have in-person services.

During March, we continued to receive support from our friends in the UK, Northern Ireland, USA, and Eswatini through containers of GIKs, concerts to raise funds, and hands of prayers that have helped us navigating the COVID 19 season.

Hope for tomorrow

As we celebrate the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and remember those who passed on during the pandemic, we will continue to hold on to our Faith, Hope, and Love and RISE above our challenges, knowing that He LIVES so we have HOPE for tomorrow.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him

We thank you, dear friends, for your continued support for us during this time. We pray that the Lord will protect you and return to you manifold blessings.

Thank you for all that you have done for the children and communities in Eswatini.