Swaziland, 2006. World factbook map

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Swaziland is a kingdom in southern Africa (17,364 sq. km.; 6,704 sq.mi.; population in 1982, 600,000; in 2005, 1,173,900). The first Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities (Mennonite Church) personnel arrived in Swaziland in 1971 to begin a program which is registered as "The Mennonite Board of Swaziland." The program began with three teachers in the Teachers Abroad Program. By 1976, there were 26 people working in vocational training, health, agriculture, handicapped concerns, Bible education, and church leadership training (mainly with the African Independent Churches). In 1985 the program consisted of 17 people. There has always been a significant emphasis on working in cooperation with local churches and other established institutions. Due to Swaziland's geographic location, South African and Mozambican refugees have frequently been a major focus of the Swaziland Mennonite program.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 868. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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