US DONATES OVER M1 MILLION FOR REHABILITATION OF SCHOOLS

The Technical Sergeant of the United States (US) Army, Kenneth Hooks and Mr. Sacky Ludik of the Lesotho Timber have signed an agreement of over M1 million, as a donation from US government to Lesotho for rehabilitation of school buildings in the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the US embassy on Friday on behalf of the Minister of Education, the Assistant Minister of Justice, Ms. Mpeo Mahase said the Ministry of Education is faced with providing and extending access to quality education to all Basotho children in the advent of HIV/AIDS, poverty, food insecurity and persistent thoughts. Ms. Mahase maintained that most of the primary schools in the country were built by Churches and have deteriorated overt ime due to lack of maintenance, saying some of those school buildings have virtually collapsed and many of the Primary School children are taught in an open space.

She stated that the donation will go a long way towards renovating and rehabilitating schools in the rural areas where there is need, adding that the government would ensure that schools are conducive places for Basotho children to learn in. She recalled that Lesotho, as a member of the United Nations, is a  signatory of  the Millennium Development Goals and the Education for all movement, stating that with the US support, education for all would be attained by theyear 2015 in the country, maintaining that all efforts are in place to provide the basic human right to children.

Ms. Mahase pointed out that education is an empowerment tool, which is believed would take the country out of poverty, adding that education is a long-term investment whose results shall not be visible within a short time. She further hailed the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) for the support it provides through its engineering platoon, whereby, among other activities, members of LDF are engaged in the construction and maintenance of school buildings and clinics.

Speaking at the same occasion the US Ambassador to Lesotho Mr. Robert Loftis said the donation serves as a continuation of the existing co-operation between the Lesotho government and US government, particularly in the activities carried out under army humanitarian activities. Mr. Loftis noted that the humanitarian activities that are carried out by the army are aimed at establishing and maintaining good relations between members of the army and the community.

Ambassador Loftis said the donated material is expected to be used for the rehabilitation of 120 schools in the rural areas of the country, saying the activity is expected to be completed soon. The co-operation between the United States of America and Lesotho armies on humanitarian activities started several years ago.

29 August 2003