Its remote location, high in the Lebombo mountains, renders it beautiful, unspoilt but extremely poor. Most people live in self built houses like the ones below. (stone and cement house - left; one made from stick and stones - right)

Ingwavuma River (above) - dried up through the drought

A homestead nestles in the valley surrounded by forest (above)

View from volunteer houses (above)

Although there is now a tar road linking the centre of Ingwavuma to the main road from Jozini to Kosi Bay, all other roads are rough dirt tracks, many only passable by 4x4 or by foot. The picture below shows one of the better ones.

Most people live without electricity, using candles for light and bottled gas or wood for cooking. Water is collected from springs, bore holes, rivers and, where these are in place, from communal metered standpipes. Water collection is mainly the responsibility of children. These containers are 20 or 25 litres.

Collecting water from a spring (above) and from the river (below)

The walk down a steep incline to the river through bush (above) and two nine year olds beginning the trek back up (below)

The four year drought has caused major problems in an area dependent on subsistence farming for survival. As a result of this, Ingwavuma was declared a 'Disaster Area' in 2005.

Unemployment and illiteracy rates are high, as is the incidence of HIV and AIDS. Children in many communities come to school hungry and for many their only meal is the one they receive at school four days a week.

Children are taught in large classes (80 is not uncommon) in rooms sometimes more suited to animal than human occupation and at worst, with no room at all, when lessons are conducted outdoors.