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African orphans learn Mandarin, Buddhism and kung fu

Hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children have found a brighter path forward through Amitofo Care Centres.

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Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung FuOrphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Primary school children practise acrobatic moves during kung fu classes at the Amitofo Care Centre in Swaziland. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
By Cornell Tukiri
Published On 21 Oct 2017

Nhlangano, Swaziland – Amitofo Care Centres, founded by Venerable Master Hui Li, a Buddhist monk from Taiwan, is taking in orphans and vulnerable children from several countries in southern Africa.

Li first visited the African continent in 1992 and was struck by the children left behind by parents who died of HIV/Aids. He decided to devote all of his time and energy into setting up orphanages, schools and clinics for the most vulnerable.

The first centre set up in Malawi 12 years ago houses almost 500 children. There are also centres in Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia, with many more in the planning stages.

Children brought up at the centres study the local curricula in the mornings, while learning about Buddhism, Mandarin Chinese and kung fu in the afternoons.

Children live and learn at the centres until they reach 18, when they can apply for university or other vocational training. Some 26 students from the Malawi centre are studying at universities in Taiwan, with similar numbers predicted for the Lesotho and Swaziland centres, which have been running for five and six years respectively.

Amitofo is 70 percent funded by private donors from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Malaysian and Singapore nationals also contribute. Amitofo has no ties to any government, and relies on donated land to get centres up and running.

Amitofo goes through a rigorous process with the children, national agencies and the local community to legally adopt those it takes in. 

Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
In the early hours of the morning, children in Lesotho wake up for a Buddhist prayer service. The sound of a log hitting a huge bell rings out across the centre and into their dormitories, signifying the beginning of the day. Some 264 orphans and children reside at the Lesotho centre. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
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Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Some 181 orphans and vulnerable children reside at the centre in Swaziland. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Each morning and evening, a Buddhist service is held. The children learn about Buddhism and sing songs in Mandarin Chinese, with a monk overseeing the proceedings. These are disciplined events, with adherence to singing and chanting and quietness in between. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Children are legally adopted by the Swaziland Amitofo Care Centre and live there until they reach 18. Sitting next to the children on the right are the 'care mothers' who help to take care of the younger children. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
As soon as children are adopted by the Amitofo Care Centres, they begin their formal education. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
The facade of the Buddhist temple is adorned with paintings in the local Swazi style. In the distance is the primary school, which was opened by King Mswati III, who gifted the land to the centre. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
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Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Cedric Dlamini, right, joins fellow high school students as they get ready in their dormitory. As there is no high school within the Amitofo Care Centre in Swaziland, Cedric and his fellow students catch a bus at to a neighbouring secondary school. 'At first, it was a bit tough, but we were accepted. People know Amitofo, so we get asked a lot of questions about the place,' Cedric said. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Students salute their coach, Wang Yinggang, at the end of a kung fu lesson. Yinggang is from Hunan, China, and is one of the few Chinese volunteers who has come to Swaziland to lend experience to the students. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
After the morning Buddhist service at the temple, the children start their morning fitness classes. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Refuoehape Kholoane, right, performs a traditional, Japanese-style dance at the Amitofo Care Centre in Lesotho. Opened in 2010, the Lesotho centre is home to some 281 children who are orphans or classified as vulnerable. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
The Swaziland centre opened in 2012 after four years of construction. It is a joint venture between the Queen Mother's charity, Philani Maswati and Amitofo. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Eighteen-year-old Mpendulo Simelane, right, and his friends ensure their clothes are washed and hung out to dry before they head to dinner. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Nokwanda Dlamini, left, and Pholile Mngometulu hang out backstage before a performance for the Swazi Minister of Tinkhundla, Mduduzi Dlamini. The directors of the centre want to be transparent with locals and authorities. 'We want to ensure that we are accountable and open, and that means inviting people in to see the premises, something that may have not have happened enough in the past,' director Yao-lin Ko said. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]
Orphans in Swaziland and Lesotho learning Mandarin, Buddhism and Kung Fu
Acting director KC Tan, from Singapore, said he rushed to volunteer about hearing about Amitofo's programming. He is now at the Swaziland centre. [Cornell Tukiri/Al Jazeera]