Glossary
Here’s a glossary of commonly used terminology, Siswati words and acronyms that are commonly used in Swaziland and therefore in the blogs. If you encounter a word in the blogs that you don’t know what it means submit a comment or drop Chris a note and she will add it to this list!
ARVs – AntiRetroViral – medications used for the treatment of HIV.
Babe – Siswati for father. Pronounced bahbay.
Bakkie – pick up truck
gogo - Siswati for grandmother
Head Teacher – the principal of a school
Kombi – a van (bigger than a mini van but generally not as big as a 15-passenger van) which transports people for a fee on pre-determined routes.
Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu – means for the love of Jesus. This is a project initially funded out of Action for Children from the UK. I have been managing this project since coming to Swaziland in 2007. This is a project of the Central Circuit of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. The main purpose is to help vulnerable children that are HIV+ or at risk of becoming HIV+ get proper medical care and assist them with things such as school fees or school uniforms. There are 9 people working with this project. Everyone works as a volunteer, getting only their transport costs reimbursed.
make – Siswati for mother. pronounced mahgay.
Manyano – The Methodist women’s group. Manyano means unity.
MCSA – Methodist Church of Southern Africa
mkulu – Siswati for grandfather
OVC – Orphaned and/or Vulnerable Children
RFM – Raleigh Fritkin Memorial (Hospital). The main hospital /clinic in Manzini.
SAMVIM – South Africa Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Society – a congregation of the MCSA
TIA – This is Africa!
TIS – This is Swaziland!
UMVIM – United Methodist Volunteer in Mission
yebo – yes