2011 Iowa Episcopal Health Care Ministry Visit to Swaziland ~ September 21 -- October 11, 2011

"To support a lifetime of health & wellbeing for the next generations of faith in Swaziland" ~

On September 21, 2011, ten Iowans will embark on a journey; to Swaziland, Africa, to work with and provide an educational workshop for local health care givers and neighborhood care point volunteers who form the Anglican lifeline for orphans and other vulnerable children in Swaziland.

During two full weeks in-country, eight team members led by Dr. T.R. Shively will hold dental clinics in villages near Siteki (east) and Nhlangano (south). As the dental clinics progress, Rev. Mary Jane Oakland, retired ISUnutrition professor, and David Oakland will survey nutritional needs and opportunities at Anglican feeding centers/care points throughout the Diocese of Swaziland. After the completion of the clinics and nutritional assessment, the whole team will offer a health care workshop at the Anglican Thokoza Center in Mbabane for 55 caregivers of the 14 Neighborhood Care Points.

2011 Health Care Ministry Team members in photo from top left: David Oakland, Ames; Evan Ward, Ceylon, Minnesota; Dr. Terry Shively, dentist & team leader, Spencer; Rev. Carl Mann, Spirit Lake; Kaelly Scherff, Ft. Dodge; (bottom left) Stevie Shively, dental assistant, Spencer; Rev. Mary Jane Oakland, team nutritionist, Ames; Elizabeth Ward, Ceylon, Minnesota; Kendra Thilges, registered nurse, Spirit Lake, and Holly Scherff, dental assistant, Fort Dodge.

Fundraising efforts continue across the diocese to raise $5,000 for oral health supplies and critically needed medicines/vitamins for children served at the Neighborhood Care Points, and the $5,150 required to transport the 55 volunteers from the outlying neighborhood care points to the Thokoza Center, as well as provide food, lodging and workshop materials for the health care workshop participants. The team happily reports that as of July 15, 2011, it has raised a little more than half of the $10,000.

Prayers & donations are genuinely appreciated to support this 2011 health care endeavor for orphans and other vulnerable children with our partners in Swaziland. Donations can be given to: Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, 225 37th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50312-4305: Attn: Bob Joy - Swaziland Health Care Ministry.

Celebration! +Dedication+ Christ Church, Mpaka, Swaziland ~~ Saturday, April 9, 2011

In 2004, a team of Iowans in Swaziland were invited to enter into a dream to build a school for orphans and other vulnerable children in Mpaka, an impoverished, drought-stricken area in Swaziland.

In 2005, Bishop Meshack Mabuza, Anglican Diocese of Swaziland, presented plans to construct a multi-purpose facility to serve as a school, a church, a clinic & a community center in Mpaka, and gave his blessing for this cooperative companions project to proceed. Episcopal parishes and individuals across the dioceses of Iowa and Brechin, Scotland, responded generously with funds to help make the dream come true.

In 2006, a team of Iowans contributed sweat equity to the dream... making concrete building blocks with Swazis for the school ~ church ~ clinic ~ community center at Mpaka.

By 2008, steel girders were in place and a steel roof had been purchased. In 2009 & 2010, work progressed on the building foundation and walls. In 2011, the roof was added & the facilty was ready to be dedicated during Bishop Alan Scarfe's six-week sojourn in the Diocese of Swaziland.

Now, we celebrate the completion of the dream of building & the beginning of creating a school for the children of Mpaka! Christ Church dedication ~ April 9, 2011 ~ Mpaka, Swaziland!