Over 300 orphans get assistance

 

 Three hundred and six orphans from 57 villages in the Koro-Koro Constituency were presented with maize meal, packages of beans, cooking oil, soup and clothing by the Office of the First Lady on Friday, November 28.
In an interview after the presentation, Administrative Manager Mrs'Mathato Makwate said the maize meal was a donation from Pakistan, while soup was donated by Dorcas Aid, clothes from local factories as well as  volunteers while beans and cooking oil were bought by the Office.

Mrs. Makwate said the food distribution was meant to make the orphans feel part of the community and are being cared for, especially at during the festive season. They would continue with the distribution as long as the donations kept flowing in. 

The Office also trains support groups in the villages on bookkeeping and also provides them with capital so that they can start their own projects, she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Koro-Koro Constituency, Mr. Nts'aila Nts'aila appealed to the support groups in the villages to assist orphans and vulnerable children in order to develop the culture of helping each other. He urged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their use of the donated food.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. 'Mantoane Mokoapane said they depend on subsistence farming but during periods of drought, they struggle to put something on the table and were glad to have received the donation. 

Chairperson of the Mofoka support group Mrs. 'Makamohelo Thakalekoala said their activities include sewing projects and promoting the Machobane farming system as a tool against poverty in the villages.
28 November 2003

  SOURCE: LENA