Urgent Aid for Richard's eSwatini Projects

Diane Williams is organizing this fundraiser.

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During my time in eSwatini, formerly The Kingdom of Swaziland, I worked with many community members on projects to support community development in Khuphuka (Manzini region, close to Mliba), and once I met Richard during the first few days in my village, I knew I had met someone already hard at work. Throughout my two years in Khuphuka, I never met a more hardworking Swazi, or any person in my life. Richard is the most hardworking, persistent, determined community leader I have ever met... really ever. I supported him every chance I got, which mostly meant showing up at his organized community events to support buy-in from local community leaders and connecting him to US grants.

He continues to update me on projects and ask for advice. I supported his business plan to build a tourism project near his home to promote development in the region. He was able to do his community work through grants and small community financial support... until recently.

With the dissolving of USAID, there are no more grants to fund his community work. And in turn, to support himself and his family. Richard is in desperate need of financial support. While I shared a GoFundMe back in 2019 for him, it's now even more dire.

Richard facilitates monthly community shows for youth to promote HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness in a country with the highest HIV transmission rate in the world.
He participated as a mentor and leader in the previously Peace Corps funded program, BRO (Brothers Reaching Out), the GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) equivalent for young men. Neither program exists today because there is no funding. He facilitated a BRO club in the community and is an incredible example of unwillingness to give up, learn, and build relationship to further the community. Richard is a shining example of what community leaders look like - selfless, persistent, unwavering ideals.
In the years between my last call for help in 2019, he has worked on countless projects, bringing people of all ages in his community together, including those with disabilities.

My dear friend and community leader is in desperate need of help. The swift, irresponsible, and violent removal of life-saving funds for rural communities, like Khuphuka, has left a gapping hole of resources that will take at least years to rebuild, even if another nation decides to step into the USAID shoes. This impacted not only community funds, it over-night eliminated public health funds keeping women, babies, children, and men alive. Eswatini has the highest HIV infection rate in the entire world. This is murder.

By supporting my trusted and vetted friend, Richard, your funds will be going exactly where it belongs. Please - if you have even $1 to spare - help this small, rural community keep food in children's mouths, condoms in men's pockets, medications in pregnant women's cabinet, and joy on everyone's faces. Richard can and will do this.

In addition, funds will likely cover transportation to town to buy food, supplies, etc.; shoes and clothing; basic hygiene products, sexual health products, including male and female condoms; batteries for technology to keep joy ever-present through music; and helping our community leader, Richard and his partner stay fed, his baby stay fed and healthy, and support his immediate family.