Swaziland is in the southern part of Africa.
It borders South Africa (on the North, South and West) and Mozambique (on the East).
The country is about the size of New Jersey with a population of about 1.1 million
Swaziland has the distinction of having the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. It is estimated that 39% of the population is HIV positive or already has AIDS.
In the past twenty years, the life expectancy for a person’s life has decreased by 20 years. A person will live to about 32 in Swaziland.
Most AIDS deaths occur among young to middle-aged adults, this is the generation that normally would be working, farming, and caring for their children and elderly parents. Middle-aged adults dying has created many orphaned children as well.
It’s estimated that by 2050, the country of Swaziland will not even exist.
Young orphans are scattered throughout this nation that is in desperate need of attention.
I remember about 2 years ago Athens Church and World Vision partnered together and set up a program devoted to creating awareness of the epidemic in Swaziland. They set up a tour that just opened my eyes to struggles that in Swaziland. It just blows my mind that AIDS is such a huge problem that it can wipe out an entire country.. I can’t imagine growing up thinking that life ends at 32. My heart broke for the country then. I remember saying that I wish I could go to Swaziland, but never thought it would happen. Funny how God works.
