Community Service by UN staff and partners at Nhlangano Vocational and Training Centre.

Minister of Sports, Youth & Culture who is Acting Minister of Labour & Social Security, Hon. Harries Bulunga

Shiselweni Regional Administrator

Acting Principal Secretary

President of the Federation of People with Disability in Eswatini (FODSWA)

CEO of Business Eswatini

CEO of Standard Bank

Representatives of private sector and civil society organizations present here today

Colleagues of the UN (HoAs and staff)

Members of the media

Ladies & gentlemen

I am very pleased to be back to this school today. I recall very well my first visit here in May on an invitation by the Minister of Labour and Social services after touring all three schools from Mbabane, Malkerns and Nlangano. I remember saying that I would love to come back to this school to find happy children, playing, laughing… being kids and who would welcome me with their products made from the workshops here in this school.

Although the children are not yet here, I am impressed by the work that has been achieved and the turn out today confirms that we are one step closer to realizing the dream of transforming the lives of many children in Eswatini to become highly productive and happy citizens. The impact of this transformation goes beyond the children and will touch their parents and community alike.

I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Minister of Labour and Social Services and his team, who have refused to allow unfortunate events affecting the operationalization of the schools to either weigh them down or dampen their spirits. I thank the Minister of Sports for stepping in to represent him during this important activity and I know he would have loved to be here.

From the very first moment we met, the Minister has always been determined to re-open the schools. In fact, he always wondered how they were allowed to close in the first place. I commend the Ministry for the bold initiative of gathering all of us to see how we can assist the government operationalize the schools.

For the UN, we are happy to be associated with such an initiative, which is taking place during the second day of our UN Day celebration, which is observed globally on 24 October. The UN Day marks the entry into force of the UN Charter and the founding of the Organization in 1945.

The theme for UN Day 2019 is “Our Planet. Our Future.” – The United Nations has declared Climate Change to be the defining issue of our time, with the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres repeatedly calling on all of us, not just the UN, to be leaders in the fight against climate change.

In line with Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Development Goals which challenges us to ensure that we “Leave No One Behind”, the UN in Eswatini opted to celebrate UN Day by doing what we are primarily about and which is, improve the lives of people everywhere.

It is in this respect and appreciation that I thank my colleagues in the UN, especially the staff members who have volunteered their time, energy and finances to contribute to the welfare of the children to be accommodated by these schools.

I also thank the other colleagues, both officials and workers from the Government, the private sector, development partners and civil society for responding positively to this call for action. Such spirit of solidarity and respect is to be encouraged and celebrated, so that we can build stronger communities across the world.

We know that there are many others who would have loved to be with us today but could not join us because of various reasons. They will definitely be with us in the next steps, as this is the beginning of the journey to see all three schools re-opened as soon as possible.

I am advised that the Ministry wishes to open this school and the Malkerns school in January 2020. We will be working with government and all other partners to make sure that these plans are realized.

No contribution is too small. The sum total of all our efforts will make the work of rehabilitating the schools look like child’s play. To be honest, the schools do not require a lot to be operationalized, especially this school and the one in Malkerns.

Maybe the school in Mbabane will require infrastructural and civil works which might take time and cost a little bit more. This school in Nlangano needs beds for dormitories, equipment and materials for workshops to start functioning as soon as possible. Some of the equipment include computers for the IT workshop. A lot of us could have old computers that we are disposing but would still be very useful for the training of the children here.

I invite everyone to make a contribution of any kind as these children need our help to secure their future and contribute to the development of Eswatini.

I thank you.