In brief

The SOL Foundation continues to assist SKRUM UK in the Kingdom of Eswatini using the game of rugby in the education of the youth and general Swazi population on serious health and welfare issues to impact their and their families’ immediate lives and lifestyles.

Problem to be tackled

Besides Eswatini’s highest rate of HIV infection in the world, the problems to be tackled include gender-based violence, alcohol and drug abuse, female health and hygiene as well as teenage pregnancy.

Local partner

SKRUM Eswatini uses the game of rugby to engage with the youth, and at the same time, educate them about HIV/AIDS. Raising much needed awareness of gender violence, the abuse of drugs and alcohol and the inspiring of the youth to become responsible leaders within their respective communities and churches. And the importance and benefits of attending school and obtaining a good, solid, and all-round education.

Beneficiaries

It is widely believed that the way to reduce HIV infection is through education and awareness. The target group is children in full-time education from the age of 12 as this is the age when children may become sexually active and therefore most at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. SKRUM aims to reach all state schools in the Kingdom if accessible by road and aim to reach all children in their target group regardless of gender or ability.

SOL’s contribution

With the continued support from The SOL Foundation,  SKRUM will be able to significantly extend and expand the methods and implementation of the existing, all year-round HIV/AIDS educational programme, providing a comprehensive pathway of support and awareness reaching more disadvantaged youth nation-wide.

Project partner

SKRUM UK was established in 2008 to fund and administer its partner organisation SKRUM Swaziland. Swaziland (now known as Eswatini) has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world, with approximately 26% of the population infected.

SKRUM’s aim and mission is to reduce this figure and offer the youth of Eswatini a choice and hope for their future.