Sikhumbuzo is a young man of 13 who has found new life in Jesus Christ through CarePoint Bible Clubs and purpose in life through last year’s Power Camp. Sikhumbuzo lives in Madonsa, a rather large township in Manzini.

Alcoholism is rampant in Madonsa, and with a 50% unemployment rate, it is a picture of extreme poverty, people living in mud homes, constantly dealing with the thought of dying of AIDS before the age of 30, no education, no male role models, and no hope that anything can change. And for Sikhumbuzo, not being able to attend school meant he had plenty of time to be swallowed up in this viciously hopeless situation.

He joined the wrong crowd, looking for a sense of family and belonging. He began to drink, which led to fighting and stealing, a path that would eventually lead to juvenile prison. But God had a different plan.

Children’s Cup has a CarePoint in Madonsa, and Sikhumbuzo visited it but only secretly, because he thought his “friends “would think he was weak and as a result he would be bullied. Either way, Sikhumbuzo was determined to not show interest in God or in getting help from the CarePoint facilitators.

Sikhumbuzo happened to stop by the CarePoint one day before our Power Camp (Kid’s camps we host for the CarePoint children) because he was hungry and his friends were not around. He filled his stomach and then stayed for Bible Club. He heard about a heavenly Father who loved him and wanted to have a relationship with him.

Something grabbed his heart this time, and Sikhumbuzo accepted Jesus Christ right there and hope began.

When he heard about the Power Camp, and that the theme was “Jesus gives us the power to live for Him,” Sikhumbuzo decided he wanted to attend the camp. At camp, he learned how to become stronger as a believer and also began to help the camp workers to serve the younger children. He assisted in games and then helped serve food to the children. He had found purpose and new life. He caught the vision of what we like to call “SERVOLUTION.”

Now almost a year after the day he met Jesus, he faithfully attends the Madonsa CarePoint, serving other children by helping clean and doing small projects. He is also now involved in the youth program at the CarePoint and is still growing in his relationship with Jesus Christ. He is a happy and talkative young man setting an example for others to follow.