Swaziland. Month 8. February – March 2012.
Month 8 of the Race is a upon Family Force 6 and I'm very excited about next months ministry! We will be serving at El Shaddai Children's Home in Mbabane and working with 2 other teams from our squad. Ministry will include everything from teaching kids to farming to leading church services- whoo hoo! More info to come upon arrival…
Here's the ministry's website with more information: www.elshaddaiswaziland.org/index.html
They site these words about Swaziland:
A short summary of the country
With an area of just over 17 000 square kilometres , Swaziland is the smallest country in the southern hemisphere. It is just 193 km from north to south and 145 km from east to west. This tiny country has the only absolute monarchy in Africa and embraces its own unique and ancient traditions.
The Swazi people make up a single ethnic group that comprises of several clans who are united under the king. Numbering just more than one million , Swaziland has also one of the smallest populations in Africa. Swazi's are peaceful and friendly and visitors are ensured of a warm welcome and a visit they will always remember.
Swaziland is divided into four regions (provinces). Awell established tar road system links the regions.
The capital city is Mbabane. It was founded in 1903 when Swaziland became a protectorate under British rule. It is set amongst the spectacular mountain scenery of the Dlangeni Hills at an altitude of 1 200 m above sea level. Mbabane is a modern city offering diverse facilities including shopping malls , banks and a variety of shops. For visitors there is a wide range of lodges , hotels , guest houses.
On the highway between Mbabane and Manzini ( about 40 km away) lies the tourism mecca of the country. Here is where you will find the best hotels , restaurants , craft outlets , and many other attractions.
Swaziland is a tourist paradise. Here are nature reserves , golf courses of international standard and the most beautiful mountain scenery you can imagine. For the sport lovers Swaziland offers excellent facilities for golf , tennis , horse riding , boating , biking , fishing , 4X4 routes and much more.
For the more relaxed tourist Swaziland offers birding second to none. It is home to more species than the international renown Kruger National Park in South Africa. Not less than 498 different bird species call Swaziland home – due to the wide variety of habitats in the kingdom.
MANZINI: Manzini is the capital of the region (province) with the same name. Together with the nearby industrial area of Matsapa it comprises the largest urban population in the country. Modern day Manzini is a bustling cosmopolitan centre.
