Support Orphans in Eswatini
Purple Industries supports orphaned and vulnerable children across rural Eswatini through food assistance, disability care, educational support, housing repairs, and emergency medical transport.
Why Children in Eswatini Need Support
Eswatini continues to face severe child poverty and vulnerability challenges, especially in rural communities. According to UNICEF-supported research, approximately 60% of children in Eswatini are classified as vulnerable, and many live in households affected by poverty, illness, food insecurity, disability, or the loss of parents.
Many orphaned and vulnerable children are raised by elderly grandmothers or extended family members who are themselves struggling with poor health, unemployment, and limited access to resources. Research from rural schools in Eswatini found that children raised by grandparents often face additional barriers to education because elderly caregivers may be ill, bedridden, or unable to provide educational support.
Food insecurity also remains a serious issue in vulnerable regions of Eswatini. UNICEF reports that drought, poverty, and economic hardship continue to affect thousands of children, especially in rural areas where families struggle to access stable nutrition and healthcare.
At Purple Industries, we see these realities firsthand. Since 2008, we have worked directly with vulnerable families, orphaned children, disabled individuals, and elderly caregivers across Eswatini’s communities.
The Challenges Facing Orphaned Children in Eswatini
Many orphaned and vulnerable children in rural Eswatini live with disabilities while lacking access to wheelchairs, rehabilitation, specialist healthcare, and medical transport. Long travel distances and poverty often delay life-saving treatment. Purple Industries supports families with mobility aids, caregiver support, emergency transport, and access to medical care for disabled children and vulnerable individuals.
Disability, Healthcare & Medical Barriers
Nearly 70% of children in Eswatini live in poverty, with many vulnerable households struggling to provide food, school uniforms, transport, and safe housing. Rural families are especially affected by unemployment, drought, and food insecurity. Some children live in overcrowded or unsafe homes vulnerable to collapse and extreme weather. Purple Industries helps provide food assistance and emergency housing support to vulnerable families.
Poverty, Hunger & Unsafe Living Conditions
Many orphaned children are raised by elderly grandmothers (“Gogos”) after losing parents to illness, migration, or economic hardship. Studies in Eswatini show that children in grandmother-led households often face emotional stress, caregiving burdens, and interrupted education. Despite these challenges, grandmothers continue to provide care with limited resources. Purple Industries supports these families through food assistance, advocacy, and community outreach.
Grandmother-Led Families & Emotional Vulnerability
Real Stories of Hope
Nosipho’s Story
When Purple Industries met Nosipho (name changed), she was living in an isolated rural hut while facing severe physical and mental disabilities. After arranging surgery and ongoing medical support, Purple Industries continued providing food, nappies, transport, and care despite ongoing hardships and abuse-related trauma. Today, she still greets caregivers with Gospel songs when they visit.
* this is not Nosipho pictured
