© Copyright - Moya Centre 2018
25 Years of Community Nurturing & Support
For over 25 years, Moya has been at the forefront of delivering holistic services and mobilizing resources to empower the community. Through its unwavering commitment, Moya has helped foster resilience and supported Lobamba Lomdzala in becoming a thriving constituency.
Moya Trust was founded in 1999, at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, born out of a deep desire to respond to the suffering and needs of the Lobamba Lomdzala community. The Thorne family generously granted us usufruct of a large piece of land on their farm bordering Mahlanya Community. This extraordinary gift was further supported by our lawyer, Peter Dunseith, whose financial contribution enabled the construction of a multi-purpose building and fencing of part of the property. The spirit of generosity that marked these beginnings could only be attributed to divine providence, and so we named the initiative “Moya,” meaning “spirit” in Siswati. The original Trustees included members of the Thorne family and other committed individuals from the community.
The Trust initially focused on mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS, particularly on orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). Recognizing the lack of access to fresh produce due to high costs, Moya partnered with UNICEF to introduce organic gardening skills to the community. This initiative led to the establishment of kitchen school gardens across all four regions of Eswatini, enhancing nutrition and imparting valuable agricultural knowledge.
A significant turning point came when David Bliss, a visitor to Eswatini, encountered malnourished children near the Nkomazi River. Deeply moved, he provided a substantial donation to support the education and welfare of vulnerable children. This support enabled Moya to expand its preschool program and, with UNICEF’s guidance, align with the “Education for All” initiative. The program funded school fees, uniforms, and supplies for children from under-resourced primary schools. Teachers received training to better understand and support the emotional and psychological needs of OVCs, while school counsellors were equipped with basic counselling skills through workshops led by professional psychologists.
As the initiative grew, it became evident that many schools lacked essential infrastructure. Moya responded by constructing boreholes, kitchens, classrooms, administrative blocks, science and computer labs, and counselling rooms. In Mnjoli, where children had to walk long distances to attend high school, David Bliss played a pivotal role in establishing Mnjoli High School by funding the construction of its initial facilities.
Further contributions from Bliss supported early literacy programs, providing teachers with training and classroom readers. Over time, Moya Centre expanded its reach, supported by a growing team of volunteers, including alumni teachers who offered after-school tutoring and mentorship. High school students trained in peer counselling began supporting their classmates, creating a ripple effect of care and empowerment