Vuvulane Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Outreach Foundation Eswatini
Commonwealth Point of Light 190. Khulekani Msweli
Khulekani Msweli, representing Eswatini, aged 36, runs the Vuvulane Orphans & Vulnerable Children’s Outreach Foundation (VOVCOF), which served an average of 140 meals per day to orphans and distributed food parcels to families during Eswatini’s COVID-19 lockdown.
Most of the fresh vegetables and fruit served through the Foundation are sourced from local traders, with Khulekani also having launched the ‘Vuvulane Food Market’ in 2019, a sustainable garden-to-table restaurant that sources its produce from small-scale community farmers. Visitors can also use a communal solar powered phone charger to power up their mobile telephones.
Simon Boyden, British High Commissioner to Eswatini, said:
“I would like to congratulate Khulekani Msweli and ‘Vuvulane Orphans & Vulnerable Children’s Outreach Foundation’ (VOVCOF) on being selected for the Commonwealth Points of Light Queen’s Award. The Foundation’s soup kitchen continues to offer an invaluable service through its increased provision of food parcels and hygiene products to the local community. Well done!”
Khulekani said:
“It is now, more than ever, through honest leadership, that our local and global communities need hope and love. Hope to combat inequality, injustices, suppression of freedoms, diseases and climate change. I accept this award with gratitude, as it is not mine alone but for all the people of Eswatini who are fighting for freedom.”
Picture credit: Daniele Tamagni