Advertisement

US completes E51.4m school rebuilds for Eswatini cyclone victims

Minister of Education and Training Honourable Owen Nxumalo and US Chargé d'Affaires Marc Weinstock cut the ribbon at the handover of newly built school facilities funded by the United States government. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini Minister of Education and Training Honourable Owen Nxumalo and US Chargé d'Affaires Marc Weinstock cut the ribbon at the handover of newly built school facilities funded by the United States government. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini
Minister of Education and Training Honourable Owen Nxumalo and US Chargé d'Affaires Marc Weinstock cut the ribbon at the handover of newly built school facilities funded by the United States government. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini

Mbabane – The United States and the Kingdom of Eswatini last week marked the completion of four major school infrastructure projects worth more than US$3.15 million (approximately E51.4 million), benefiting over 1,500 learners across the Hhohho and Shiselweni regions.

One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini
One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini

The projects were a direct response to the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021, which damaged school infrastructure across parts of the country. Working through the Ministry of Education and Training, the US government funded the construction of new classrooms at Etjedze Primary School, Makhonza Primary School, Kamzila FEA Primary School, and Ejubukweni Primary School.

One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini
One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini

New kitchen facilities were also built at Ejubukweni, Kamzila FEA, and Makhonza Primary Schools as part of the programme.

Advertisement

One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini
One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini

Minister of Education and Training Honourable Owen Nxumalo joined US Chargé d’Affaires Marc Weinstock at the handover ceremony, where Weinstock said: “True partnership means investing not just in buildings, but in the people and communities who will maintain and benefit from them long after we leave. This is what U.S. partnership looks like in practice: responsive, accountable, and rooted in respect for Eswatini’s people and priorities.”

One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini
One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini

The projects were implemented through the US Army Corps of Engineers, with a deliberate focus on using local labour, suppliers, and subcontractors, extending the economic impact of the investment beyond the school gates.

One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini
One of four primary schools rebuilt under a US government funded programme following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021. Photo: US Embassy Eswatini

Add a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Send this to a friend