Africa-Press – Eswatini. The usually quiet corridors of Mbabane Hospital were filled with festive cheer on 11 December 2025, as volunteers and students from the Taiwan Tzu Chi Foundation brought warmth, hope, and colourful handmade gifts to patients.
The volunteers delivered 200 “cushions of love”, each crafted with care from repurposed fabric offcuts. These cushions were distributed in the Children’s and Surgical wards, creating a sense of joy and comfort for patients, many of whom are spending the holiday season away from home.
Accompanying the gifts were Christmas carols, sung by the Tzu Chi volunteers, which added a musical touch to the hospital environment. The combination of vibrant colours, gentle melodies, and heartfelt gestures transformed the wards into spaces of warmth and hope.
“These aren’t just cushions; they are symbols of love and encouragement,” explained Sharon, Eswatini Director of the Tzu Chi Foundation. “Each cushion carries a message of care and compassion, showing patients that they are remembered and cherished. Through these small acts, we aim to spread love across Eswatini, demonstrating that kindness has no boundaries.”
The cushions, created during school holidays, reflect the dedication and creativity of volunteers who repurpose fabric offcuts, giving them new life as gifts for patients. Beyond their practical use, they offer emotional support, particularly to those facing challenging medical conditions.
The foundation’s work goes beyond material comfort. By combining gifts with songs and festive cheer, the initiative fosters a sense of community, gratitude, and emotional well-being, both for patients and hospital staff. For many, the visit brought genuine smiles, lifting spirits in ways that medical treatment alone cannot.
In the past two years, the Tzu Chi Foundation has distributed over 6,000 cushions across Eswatini, reaching hospitals and mobile medical clinics. This consistent effort demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to spreading joy, comfort, and love throughout the country.
The programme also highlights the power of repurposing materials creatively. By turning leftover fabric into meaningful gifts, volunteers not only reduce waste but also craft tools of comfort and emotional healing, making a positive impact on the community.
Hospital staff welcomed the initiative, noting that such gestures significantly improve patients’ experiences, especially for children and those undergoing long-term treatment. The presence of singing volunteers, colourful cushions, and personal messages of encouragement helped to create a supportive, uplifting atmosphere that complemented medical care.
Sharon added, “During the festive season, it is the smallest acts of love that often make the biggest difference. Through these cushions and our interactions, we hope to inspire hope, resilience, and the spirit of giving in everyone we meet.”
The visit by the Tzu Chi Foundation stands as a reminder of the power of compassion and community engagement, showing that thoughtful gestures, no matter how small, can have a profound effect on patients’ well-being.
As Eswatini continues to celebrate the season of giving, initiatives like this exemplify how kindness, creativity, and volunteerism can brighten lives, heal hearts, and strengthen communities, one cushion at a time.
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