Manzini Youth Care UK

Manzini Youth Care UK is a small charity based in North East England; we raise funds to support children and young people in and around Manzini, eSwatini. 

Our history

Christmas night 1978:  Fr Larry McDonnell, a Salesian priest in Manzini, found 13 children asleep outside his home. He managed to find somewhere for them to stay - a disused mortuary - and from these humble beginnings, Manzini Youth Care was born.  Fr Larry went on to develop educational and social programmes for children and young people, giving much needed help to many thousands. 

 Now known as Salesian Manzini Youth Care,  the charity continues to support children and young people by providing safe accommodation in a residential home, enabling them to access education and ensuring their health and well being through a social welfare programme. The charity also runs feeding stations providing basic nutrition and support to the very poorest children and families in Manzini. 

In the UK

Support in the UK for Fr Larry's work was formalised in 2006 when our charity was registered with the Charity Commission.  As the work of the Salesians in Manzini has evolved, so  too has our charity and we now support a range of projects which reflect our aims and purpose.  We are proud to build on the legacy of Fr Larry in eSwatini.