Possible Dreams in the time of COVID-19.

Here at Possible Dreams International, we are focused on improving the livelihoods of the rural communities we serve in the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland). We are not focused on individualism and nuclear housing but rather, how we can spread love, joy & dreams virtually across the world during this difficult time.

What is the COVID situation on the ground?

Movement on roads is restricted and lockdown is in force. There are constant changes on what services can continue. Without running water and with small crowded homes, rural families are the most vulnerable. The government is looking to provide food and water.

Eswatini is currently faced with the COVID-19 pandemic like most countries at the moment. The country is on a Partial Lockdown, which means that travel is restricted. Only essential travel is allowed. Which means that its mainly Health, Food, Emergency Services Providers and essential civil servants who are allowed to be on the road. Security forces are enforcing these travel restrictions. As a result, most businesses are closed. Schools were closed around the 3rd of March and the remain closed. People are encouraged to stay home. The PDI Team has been forced to stop work for some days whenever the Travel restrictions were scaled up. However, the food packages to our clients were delivered to all our clients. The travel restrictions make it imposssible to carry out our services as the regulations are sometimes changed and implemented within 6 hours. The infection rate (as at 15 May 2020) is currently at 187 people. 48 treated and discharged. Two deaths recorded.

Our mindset

Understandably, there is fear among the Team members because of the nature of the transmission of the virus. We are all scared.  It has led to the Team being very cautious about people entering the office. A sanitization point has been placed just before the entrance into the office. The truck's door handles and seats are wiped down frequently.  The Team is concerned about funding for our projects due to the economic situation caused by the pandemic. The future is scary.

The Possible Dreams International board are hopeful the situation will improve and that our community will continue to support our Field Team and clients in need.

Projects Review

What's stopped?

  • We are pausing Education scholarships, Housing, Home Assistance, Income Generation Projects, until we lockdown is lifted and we can serve our clients again

  • Many of our sustainability projects need to be paused, while we work on a lean budget and serve our most vulnerable rural community members

What's continuing & what's changing?

  • We are committed to funding our five Field team members and our Matsetsa Community Champion

  • Amandla Project women's empowerment - women are innovating and are looking to sew face masks, instead of school uniforms at this time.

  • The bogogo (grandmothers) at the Matsetsa Soup Kitchen & Community Centre are worried about their food security so until the government provisions arrive, we are providing them food

  • Our Sanitation project (toilet building) depends on sourcing cement, so in the meantime, we are distributing soap to encourage and improve handwashing (key to preventing COVID-19 transmission)

  • Sitsatsaweni farm - we were able to harvest our Maize as Food & Agriculture was deemed essential

What's starting?

  • We have purchased sanitiser, soap, face masks for our team and clients

  • The Board and the Field Team have a four-point COVID-19 response plan to manage our cash reserves, client-serving projects and team members' livelihoods

We want to take the opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support - in particular to some long-term supporters donating large amounts unconditionally in response to COVID-19 and of course to our ever-steady regular donors, even $10/month - this helps us forecast and plan and meet client needs within our reach.

Please spread the word that giving to Possible Dreams International is tax-deductible (especially as the end of the financial year approaches next month) and the money is still going across to support our team and our most vulnerable clients.

We are still empowering lives, even in this dire situation.

PDI Pic for COVID-19.jpg

Together, we can.

Donate here.

Possible Dreams