helpful or harmful?

Part of our responsibilities here in Swaziland is to update all of the information on the women who participate in Timbali crafts.  Every week Bailey and I complete one on one interview with a handful of women.  During this time we do our best to get to know the ladies.  We have a list of questions that help us to gather information about the ladies and we give the women an opportunity to voice their opinions about timbali, the care points, and visiting teams.  Earlier this week we visited one of the cooks from the Timbutini care point.  We asked her if she would like to see the teams do anything differently.  She then proceeded to tell us about a few children who are living on their own and said that it would be nice if the teams could visit them.  

Bailey and I could not make any promises that a team could visit but we offered to take time on Saturday to stop by the children's homestead.  So, after sewing with the teen girls Bailey, Lingilwe, Titi, and I went to visit the child-run household.  This family has seven children in total.  The father passed away and the mother abandoned her children.  The older siblings have all left for schooling or employment leaving twin thirteen year olds and a ten year old to fend for themselves.  These three children eat at the care point on week days and they are able to go to school (The government pays school fees for orphans).  It is heartbreaking thinking of these three young children living on their own.  They have no guaranteed protection or meals.  Bailey and I were eager to meet this small family and deliver some basic groceries.  We hope to return every week to spend time with the kids, bringing with us a craft or a soccer ball.  We want to help this small family with their basic needs while creating a friendship with them.


During our visit I got to thinking about the importance of sustainability.  I have the resources to help these children until May and I want to help them.  Our visits have the benefit of ensuring that these children have food for the next week.  But in the long run could this do more harm then good.  I do not want to take away opportunities for this community to care for these children.  I am only here until May, what will happen after I leave?  How can I, an outsider, encourage engagement from the community to care for these children?  What is the most helpful way that I can participate in their well being?  I want to help, and I can help, but is this the right way to go about it?