eSwatini has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world and in addition approximately 63% of the population living below the poverty line. The number of HIV/AIDS orphans is increasing, which puts further strain on households as they take in more and more orphaned children from relatives and neighbours. There are also many child-headed households. Many households in rural areas can no longer cope and the adults often resort to travelling to bigger cities in the hopes of finding work in order to feed the children, however this leaves the children alone. These children are unable to attend school and have no-one to care for them. Their childhoods are taken from them as they have to ‘become their own parents’ and often struggle just to survive. In these situations Manzini Youth Care steps in to provide accommodation, food, education and care for vulnerable children, allowing them to learn and play and just be kids again.