Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SWAZILAND
A P E A C E C O R P S P U B L I C ATI O N
FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS
Country Director
A Welcome Letter 1
Packing List 81
Pre-departure Checklist 87
8 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
12 PEACE CORPS
The AIDS pandemic strikes across all social strata in many
Peace Corps countries. The loss of teachers has crippled
education systems, while illness and disability drains family
income and forces governments and donors to redirect limited
resources from other priorities. The fear and uncertainty AIDS
causes has led to increased domestic violence and stigmatizing
of people living with HIV/AIDS, isolating them from friends
and family and cutting them off from economic opportunities.
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will confront these issues on
a very personal level. It is important to be aware of the high
emotional toll that disease, death, and violence can have on
Volunteers. As you strive to integrate into your community,
you will develop relationships with local people who might
die during your service. Because of the AIDS pandemic,
some Volunteers will be regularly meeting with HIV-positive
people and working with training staff, office staff, and host
family members living with AIDS. Volunteers need to prepare
themselves to embrace these relationships in a sensitive and
positive manner. Likewise, malaria and malnutrition, motor
vehicle accidents and other unintentional injuries, domestic
violence, and corporal punishment are problems a Volunteer
may confront. You will need to anticipate these situations and
utilize supportive resources available throughout your training
and service to maintain your own emotional strength so you
can continue to be of service to your community.
16 PEACE CORPS
Government
National executive power in Swaziland is vested in the king,
who appoints, and is assisted by, a prime minister and cabinet.
One house of Parliament (the Libandla) is the National
Assembly, which has 65 members, 55 of whom are directly
elected from a list of candidates nominated by traditional
local councils and 10 of whom are appointed by the king.
The 30-member Senate consists of 10 members elected by
the National Assembly and 20 appointed by the king. Judicial
authority is vested in a high court and subordinate courts.
Civil matters among Swazis are handled by traditional leaders,
subject to appeals to the high court.
Economy
In this small, landlocked country, subsistence agriculture
occupies more than 80 percent of the population.
Manufacturing consists of a number of agro-processing
factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years.
Diamond mines have shut down because of the depletion
of easily accessible reserves; high-grade iron ore deposits
have been depleted; and health concerns have cut the world
demand for asbestos. Exports of soft-drink concentrate,
sugar, and wood pulp are the main sources of hard currency.
Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with
Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa,
from which it receives nine-tenths of its imports and to which
it sends two-thirds of its exports. Remittances from the
Southern African Customs Union and Swazi workers in South
African mines substantially supplement domestically
earned income.
18 PEACE CORPS
Environment
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the smallest political
entities of continental Africa. Covering an area of only 6,945
square miles, or 17,363 square kilometers (slightly smaller
than New Jersey), it is surrounded by South Africa on the
north, west, and south and separated from the Indian Ocean
on the east by Mozambique.
www.countrywatch.com/
On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in the
capital of Swaziland to how to convert from the dollar to the
lilangeni. Just click on Swaziland and go from there.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any
country in the world.
www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm
This site includes links to all the official sites for
governments worldwide.
www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical
information, and each country page contains links to
other sites, such as the Library of Congress, that contain
comprehensive historical, social, and political background.
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/info.asp
This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical
information for member states of the U.N.
www.worldinformation.com
This site provides an additional source of current and
historical information about countries around the world.
http://peacecorpsconnect.org/
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made
up of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find links to
all the webpages of the friends of groups for most countries
of service, made up of former Volunteers who served in those
countries. There are also regional groups who frequently
get together for social events and local volunteer activities.
Or go straight to the Friends of Swaziland site: http://
friendsofswaziland.org/
22 PEACE CORPS
http://www.rpcvwebring.org
This site is known as the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
Web ring. Browse the Web ring and see what former
Volunteers are saying about their service.
www.peacecorpswriters.org
This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers.
It is a monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer
accounts of their Peace Corps service.
http://www.gov.sz/
The official government website, which also contains a link to
Swaziland Today, a weekly newsletter.
http://www.times.co.sz/
The website of Swazilands only daily newspaper.
http://mbabane.usembassy.gov/
The website of the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane.
http://allafrica.com/Swaziland/
A site with news from all regions of Africa.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
Current news from the BBC.
http://www.irinnews.org/frontpage.asp
A site sponsored by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs.
http://www.sadc.int/
The website of the Southern Africa Development Community.
www.unaids.org
A United Nations site with detailed information about the
AIDS epidemic.
www.usaid.gov
Site of the U.S. Agency for International Development
www.worldbank.org
Site of the World Bank
http://www.wfp.org/english/
Site of the World Food Programme, the United Nations main
agency in the fight against global hunger
Recommended Books
1. Hall, James. Sangoma: My Odyssey Into the Spirit
World of Africa. Carmichael, Calif.: Touchstone
Books, 1995.
24 PEACE CORPS
4. Locke, Ron and Peter Quantrill. Zulu Vanquished: The
Destruction of the Zulu Kingdom. London: Greenhill
Books, 2005.
26 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
Mail
Postal rates in Swaziland are reasonable, and airmail to
the United States generally takes two to three weeks.
Aerogrammes (foldable and gummed paper for writing a
letter for transit via airmail) and other mailing supplies can be
purchased at post offices. Sending large packages via airmail
can be very expensive, but smaller items such as CDs can be
sent via airmail for a reasonable charge. Surface mail takes
two to four months to reach the United States. During pre-
service training, you will receive mail at the training location.
During Volunteer service, you are likely to be able to receive
mail directly at your site.
Telephones
Domestic and international phone service is available in
large towns and in some villages. You will certainly have the
opportunity to make or receive international calls during your
service. Cellular phones are becoming more affordable as
cellular service is available throughout Swaziland, and Peace
Corps/Swaziland provides Volunteers with funds to purchase
a cellular phone after completion of pre-service training.
However, depending on network coverage, you may not be
able to telephone your home from your site on a regular basis.
30 PEACE CORPS
service. The amount of cash you need will depend on the
amount of traveling you plan to do. In neighboring South
Africa, credit cards are widely accepted at places of business,
and there are many ATMs that provide access to bank
accounts in the United States.
Transportation
The primary modes of transportation in Swaziland are public
buses and minivans. Minivans travel between towns on
irregular schedules (i.e., when full), so travel via this form
of transport is never a timed affair. Bus schedules are fairly
regular, but buses generally are not available in remote,
rural areas. Roads generally are in good condition in the
larger towns and cities. Poorly maintained vehicles, livestock
wandering into the road, and intoxicated drivers are the main
causes of road accidents in Swaziland.
32 PEACE CORPS
escarpment bordering Mozambique. This mountainous area
is broken by three main rivers and has a subtropical climate
much like that of the middleveld.
Social Activities
Your social life will vary depending on where you are located.
In more rural communities, the major pastime is visiting with
neighbors and friends. Cultural festivities, sporting events,
weddings, and even funerals provide opportunities to meet
and catch up with community members and their
extended families.
Personal Safety
More detailed information about the Peace Corps approach
to safety is contained in the Health Care and Safety chapter,
but it is an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As
stated in the Volunteer Handbook, becoming a Peace Corps
Volunteer entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling
in an unfamiliar environment (oftentimes alone), having a
limited understanding of local language and culture, and being
perceived as well-off are some of the factors that can put a
Volunteer at risk. Many Volunteers experience varying degrees
of unwanted attention and harassment. Petty thefts and
burglaries are not uncommon, and incidents of physical and
34 PEACE CORPS
sexual assault do occur, although most Swaziland Volunteers
complete their two years of service without personal security
incidents. The Peace Corps has established procedures and
policies designed to help you reduce your risks and enhance
your safety and security. These procedures and policies, in
addition to safety training, will be provided once you arrive
in Swaziland. At the same time, you are expected to take
responsibility for your safety and well-being.
36 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
Language Training
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that language skills
are the key to personal and professional satisfaction during
your service. These skills are critical to your job performance,
they help you integrate into your community, and they can
ease your personal adaptation to the new surroundings.
Therefore, language training is the heart of the training
program, and you must successfully meet minimum language
requirements to complete training and become a Volunteer.
Swazi language instructors teach formal language classes five
days a week in small groups of four to five people.
40 PEACE CORPS
your host family. The goal is to get you to a point of basic
social communication skills so that you can practice and
develop language skills further once you are at your site. Prior
to being sworn in as a Volunteer, you will work on strategies
to continue language studies during your service.
Cross-Cultural Training
As part of your pre-service training, you will live with a
Swazi host family. This experience is designed to ease
your transition to life at your site. Families go through an
orientation conducted by Peace Corps staff to explain the
purpose of pre-service training and to assist them in helping
you adapt to living in Swaziland. Many Volunteers form strong
and lasting friendships with their host families.
Health Training
During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical
training and information. You will be expected to practice
preventive health care and to take responsibility for your
own health by adhering to all medical policies. Trainees are
required to attend all medical sessions. The topics include
preventive health measures and minor and major medical
issues that you might encounter while in Swaziland. Nutrition,
mental health, safety and security, setting up a safe living
compound, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS and other STDs are
also covered.
42 PEACE CORPS
The number, length, and design of these trainings are adapted
to country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the
training system is that training events are integrated and
interrelated, from the pre-departure orientation through
the end of your service, and are planned, implemented, and
evaluated cooperatively by the training staff, Peace Corps
staff, and Volunteers.
46 PEACE CORPS
Many illnesses that afflict Volunteers worldwide
are entirely preventable if proper food and water
precautions are taken. These illnesses include food
poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, dysentery,
Guinea worms, tapeworms, and typhoid fever. Your
medical officer will discuss specific standards for water
and food preparation in Swaziland during pre-
service training.
48 PEACE CORPS
Dental floss
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Insect repellent stick (Cutters)
Iodine tablets (for water purification)
Lip balm (Chapstick)
Oral rehydration salts
Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)
Scissors
Sterile gauze pads
Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)
Tinactin (antifungal cream)
Tweezers
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your
physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office
of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update
your records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental consultant
has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or
repair, you must complete that work and make sure your
dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the
Office of Medical Services.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with youa pair and
a spare. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace it, using
the information your doctor in the United States provided
on the eyeglasses form during your examination. The Peace
Corps discourages you from using contact lenses during your
service to reduce your risk of developing a serious infection
or other eye disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have
appropriate water and sanitation to support eye care with
the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply
or replace contact lenses or associated solutions unless an
ophthalmologist has recommended their use for a specific
medical condition and the Peace Corps Office of Medical
Services has given approval.
50 PEACE CORPS
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age,
or have a health condition that may restrict your future
participation in health care plans, you may wish to consult
an insurance specialist about unique coverage needs before
your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary
health care from the time you leave for your pre-departure
orientation until you complete your service. When you finish,
you will be entitled to the post-service health care benefits
described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may
wish to consider keeping an existing health plan in effect
during your service if you think age or pre-existing conditions
might prevent you from re-enrolling in your current plan
when you return home.
52 PEACE CORPS
Day: Assaults and property crimes were more
commonly reported on weekends (48 percent and 49
percent, respectively).
54 PEACE CORPS
If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident,
Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace
Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents
of crime committed against Volunteers. The first priority
for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure
the Volunteer is safe and receiving medical treatment as
needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace
Corps staff members provide support by reassessing the
Volunteers worksite and housing arrangements and making
any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the
incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace
Corps staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their
rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the
crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as
they occur, not only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also
to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers
decide later in the process that they want to proceed with the
prosecution of their assailant, this option may no longer exist
if the evidence of the event has not been preserved at the
time of the incident.
56 PEACE CORPS
IncidenceRates
Incidence Rates ofofReported
ReportedIncidents
IncidentsininPC/Swaziland
PC/Swaziland and
andAfrica
AfricaRegion,
Region, 2004-2008
2004-2008
16.0
14.0
14.0
12.0
10.0 Swaziland
8.0 Africa
8.0
6.0 5.3
4.7
3.9
4.0 2.7
2.1
1.7 1.7
2.0 0.7 0.8 1.1
0.0
Sexual Other Sexual Physical Robbery Burglary Theft
Assault* Assault** Assault***
*Sexual Assault includes the categories of rape, attempted rape, and major sexual assault.
**Other Sexual Assault consists of unwanted groping, fondling, and/or kissing.
***Physical Assault includes aggravated assault and major physical assault.
1Incidence rates equal the number of assaults per 100 Volunteers and trainees per year (V/T years).
Since most sexual assaults occur against females, only female V/Ts are calculated in sexual assaults
and other sexual assaults.
2Due to the small number of V/T years, incidence rates should be interpreted with caution.
Source data on incidents are drawn from Assault Notification Surveillance System (ANSS),
Epidemiologic Surveillance System (ESS), and Crime Incident Reporting Form (CIRF); the information
is accurate as of 9/1/09.
Prior to CIRF and prior to 2006, Other Sexual Assaults were termed Minor Sexual Assault.
58 PEACE CORPS
Volunteers tend to attract a lot of attention both in large cities
and at their sites, but they are more likely to receive negative
attention in highly populated centers, and away from their
support network (family, friends, and colleagues) who look
out for them. While whistles and exclamations may be fairly
common on the street, this behavior can be reduced if you
dress conservatively, abide by local cultural norms, and do not
respond to unwanted attention. In addition, keep your money
out of sight by using an undergarment money pouch, the kind
that hangs around your neck and stays hidden under your
shirt or inside your coat. Do not keep your money in outside
pockets of backpacks, in coat pockets, or in fanny packs. And
always walk with a companion at night.
60 PEACE CORPS
Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the
needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that Volunteers immediately
report any security incident to the Peace Corps office. The
Peace Corps has established protocols for addressing safety
and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and
it collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends
and develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.
64 PEACE CORPS
What Might a Volunteer Face?
66 PEACE CORPS
open about your sexual orientation in your community. You
may serve for two years without meeting another homosexual
or bisexual Volunteer, and there may be little support for your
sexual orientation within the Volunteer social scene. Lesbians,
like all American women, may have to deal with constant
questions about boyfriends, marriage, and sex, while gay men
may have to deal with machismo: talk of sexual conquests, girl
watching, and dirty jokes.
68 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
72 PEACE CORPS
Do I need an international drivers license?
Volunteers in Swaziland do not need an international drivers
license because they are prohibited from operating privately
owned motorized vehicles. Most urban travel is by bus or
taxi. Rural travel ranges from buses and minibuses to trucks,
bicycles, and lots of walking. On very rare occasions, a
Volunteer may be asked to drive a sponsors vehicle, but this
can occur only with prior written permission of the country
director. Should this occur, the Volunteer may obtain a local
drivers license. A U.S. drivers license will facilitate the
process, so bring it with you just in case.
74 PEACE CORPS
Will there be email and Internet access?
Should I bring my computer?
Internet service is growing in Swaziland, and Internet cafes
can be found in most large towns. Many Volunteers bring a
laptop if they already own one, but do not recommend buying
a new one to bring. If you decide to bring a laptop computer,
you will be responsible for insuring and maintaining it. The
Peace Corps will not replace stolen computers and strongly
encourages those who bring them to get personal property
insurance. Because of the high value of laptops, owners
significantly increase their risk of becoming a victim of crime.
78 PEACE CORPS
view of the photo hanging inside the carpentry workshop isnt
so much about location as about vocation: It reminds me that
my work here really does matter, and that this Peace Corps
thing really is worth doing.
As an invitee, you have achieved an important milestone
in the exciting process of discovering all this for yourself. I
congratulate you, and I welcome you to an experienceand a
countrywith plenty of great views. Enjoy them.
Note:
This list serves as a synopsis of a more detailed packing list written by
Volunteers. If you choose to accept your invitation to Swaziland, you will
recieve the detailed version approximately one month before staging.
General Clothing
The climate in Swaziland varies according to both the altitude
and the season. You should be prepared for temperatures
ranging from 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You will be
expected to dress professionally for your job. You will wash
clothes by hand in cold water, in a basin or bucket, and hang
them to dry on a line or the nearest fence. White clothes soil
easily, so neutral colors are best for hiding dirt. Clothes made
of rayon or nylon are good because they dry quickly and do
not need to be ironed, but lightweight cotton fabrics are best
for the hot climate. It does get cold in the winter, so bring
some warm clothes too.
For Men
Three or four pairs of dress slacks or khakis
Three or four cotton dress shirts (both long- and
short-sleeved)
Several casual collared shirts, such as polo or golf shirts
One sports coat for special events
One or two ties
Underwear and socks
For Women
Three to five dresses or skirts (knee length or longer)
Two or three pairs of trousers or dressy slacks
Five to seven blouses and other tops (short- or
long-sleeved)
Tights to wear with skirts in colder weather
Plenty of cotton underwear and bras, including a
sports bra
Two slips (knee- and ankle-length)
Shoes
People who wear larger sizes (12-plus for men and 10-plus
for women) should bring an extra pair or two of shoes and
sandals, as larger sizes are difficult to find in Swaziland.
82 PEACE CORPS
Waterproof hiking boots
Sandals (e.g., Tevas or Birkenstocks)
Kitchen
You can buy most kitchen supplies in Swaziland (e.g., dishes,
pots, glasses and utensils). However, you might consider
bringing the following items:
Miscellaneous
Watch (durable, water-resistant, and inexpensive)
Reliable alarm clock
Small sewing kit
Solar shower (much easier than bucket bathing with a
cup and washbasin)
Radio (FM/AM and shortwave), iPod, CD player, and
favorite music
Camera and film
84 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
Family
Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps Office
of Special Services at any time if there is a critical
illness or death of a family member (24-hour telephone
number: 800.424.8580, extension 1470).
Passport/Travel
Insurance
Personal Papers
Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.
Voting
88 PEACE CORPS
Personal Effects
Financial Management
For Direct/
Questions Toll-free Local
About: Staff Extension Number
Responding to Office of
an Invitation Placement
Africa Ext. 1840 202.692.1840
Medical Handled by a
Reimbursements Subcontractor 800.818.8772
92 PEACE CORPS
PEACE CORPS
Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters
1111 20th Street NW Washington, DC 20526 www.peacecorps.gov 1-800-424-858093
A WELCOME BOOK SWAZILAND