Delivering a cheque of more than M15, 000 to 80 orphans drawn from some of
the primary and high schools in Berea held at Leshoboro primary school on
Tuesday, Mrs Mosisili also encouraged members of the community to speak
about the disease at public places, and in the funeral services, especial if
the deceased was killed by HIV.
She further appealed to teachers and children at the schools to ensure that
the rights of orphans are respected, and provide care and give them support
at all times. She move will help orphans to accept themselves and learn fend
for themselves.
She noted with sadness that donations seemed to create conflicts in the
families, as relatives claim to be supporters of the orphans fight for the
when they realise that there are clothes, food and cosmetics packages.
She therefore, urged the community to protect the welfare of the orphans in
the villages.
Speaking at the occasion, the representative of International Federation of
Red-Cross Mr. Ian Briggs, said the donation is a sign of commitment and
effort by the Lesotho Red Cross in supporting efforts aimed at combating
HIV/AIDS spread in the country. He added that children need to be well
educated as they would be leaders in future.
Mr Briggs, further said child abuse increases rapidly in Africa, and
appealed to Ha Majara community to support and care for orphans in the
villages as this would help them to feel protected and safe.
One of the orphans at the Leshoboro primary school thanked the Red Cross
for its support, adding that with the help of the people around them, God
will help them to survive and be good educated leaders in future.
The Lesotho Red Cross General Secretariat, Mrs Ntharetso Lieta, said the
objective of the Community Based Orphan Care Project (CBOC) is to ensure
that orphans attend school, and receive medical treatment, get food for
their welfare and to reduce the rate of the disease by organising campaigns
and workshops at community level.
Mrs Lieta, added that her office research has revealed that 13,175
children are orphans in the Berea district, saying that most of the parents
died from HIV/AIDS.
She pointed out that out of 80 orphans to be assisted 47 of them are from
the Leshoboro primary school, while other orphans are from Berea,
Mohatlane,
St. George, St. Cecilia primary schools and Assumption, Holy Family and
Itekeng high schools.
.
The CBOC project also operates in Mafeteng, Mohale's Hoek and Leribe
districts. The Lesotho Red Cross was established in 1967, and since
the year 2000, part of its activities has been focused on information
dissemination about HIV/AIDS, since 1993.