As part of their ongoing commitment to learning through service and cultural exchange, Buckswood students accompanied by Prince Benkhosi visited Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki yesterday.
They donated food parcels and money on behalf of their former parent and nurse Malcolm Brewster.
The students donated 50 by 10 kg bags of maize, oranges, blankets, medical items, and E9 000, which was received from Brewster.
Prince Benkhosi, who has long championed youth engagement and community development, said it was inspiring to see young people taking an interest in the real issues that affect communities. He said visits like these encouraged compassion, understanding, and responsibility.
“The work done at Good Shepherd Hospital is nothing short of heroic,” he said.
Buckswood School Principal Giles Sutton echoed the sentiment, praising the staff of Good Shepherd Hospital and the wider medical profession:
“Nurses, doctors, and all those in the medical field are angels on earth, yet to be given their wings. The pupils were truly moved by the dedication shown here today,” said Sutton.
He added that the visit provided an eye-opening and humbling experience for the students, as they toured the facility and witnessed first-hand the dedication and compassion shown by the medical staff.
He said the visit also highlighted the importance of healthcare in the Kingdom of Eswatini and allowed students to appreciate another vital pillar of the nation’s development, its healthcare heroes.
Sutton added that the students also visited Matsetsa Nazarene Primary School to celebrate the completion of a vital water project initiated during last year’s visit. He said the learners officially opened the new water pump system, bringing clean and accessible water to the school for the first time. The project was made possible by a generous donation of E30 000 from the family of Hayden Walker, a Buckswood student who had originally planned to join the trip but was unfortunately unable to travel.
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Despite his absence, Hayden’s impact was powerfully felt, as the installation of the pump and equipment now ensures that pupils and staff at Matsetsa Nazarene Primary School have a reliable water source for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
Speaking on behalf of the group, one student remarked how humbling it was to see the lasting difference that small acts of kindness and global solidarity can make in people’s lives. “We often talk about the importance of service. But to see the result of last year’s commitment and the generosity of one of our students, It brought home the idea that no matter where we are in the world, we have the power to change lives,” said Sutton.
He added that this marked not just a continuation of Buckswood’s partnership with the school, but a celebration of shared progress, compassion, and lasting friendship.
Giles said the group also visited a local sugar plantation where they stepped into the shoes of farm workers. He said the learners cut sugarcane in the fields and followed the entire journey of the crop from harvest to production.
He said this hands-on experience offered the students valuable insight into one of Eswatini’s largest and most influential industries, and the hardworking people who drive it.
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