My grandson, my nephew and my granddaughter are all on the autism spectrum but only two of them have access to support.

Hello, my name is Agnes "Dodo" Rupiya. I am originally from the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and have been living in Hamburg, Germany, for over 30 years.

My personal journey with autism began through my nephew and my grandson in Hamburg, both of whom are on the autism spectrum. Witnessing their growth with access to diagnosis, therapy, and support inspired me to actively support Autism Eswatini.

However, the urgency became deeply personal when I learned that my granddaughter in Eswatini is also living with autism yet has access to only the most limited clinical, therapeutic, and general support services. This painful reality is what motivated me to create this GoFundMe campaign.

The Need in Eswatini

In Eswatini, the number of children and individuals living with autism and other neurological disabilities is steadily increasing. Across the country's four regions, it is estimated that between 14–20% of the population lives with a neurological disability, although not all regions have been fully assessed.

With a population of approximately 1.4 million people, the lack of appropriate infrastructure, early diagnosis, therapy options, and long-term support presents a serious challenge for families and communities. Many children grow up misunderstood, isolated, and without access to services that could significantly improve their quality of life.

Our Solution: A One-Stop Care Centre

Autism Eswatini is establishing a One-Stop Care Centre that will provide essential services for children and individuals living with autism and other neurological conditions.

This centre will help close the gap in:

The Project Plan

The Care Centre will be developed in three phases.

Phase 1 will focus on:

Funding for this phase comes primarily from Micro-Projects Autism Eswatini, with a 10% contribution from the Luhlokohla community. Previous fundraising initiatives including the Autism Challenge Hiking Event and the Autism Fundraising Golf Tournament have already received support from local companies, individuals, and government partners.

Why Your Support Matters

Your donation will help build the first dedicated therapy centre for neurological disabilities in the Kingdom of Eswatini. More than bricks and mortar, this centre represents hope not only for today's children, but for generations to come.

Loneliness often comes from being misunderstood. Together, we can create a place of inclusion, understanding, and support for children, parents, and families a place where every child can belong and live with dignity.

A Personal Commitment

As an ambassador for Autism Eswatini, I am fully committed to supporting this non-profit organization and its mission. We urgently need your assistance to make this vital project a reality.

Thank you for standing with us and for helping build a brighter future for the children and families of Eswatini. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer.

#HopeForEswatini #AutismKnowsNoBorders #LeaveNoOneBehind