Winifred Coaker Remembered

Commemoration services for the late Mrs. Winifred Coaker and Father Patrick Maekana, responsible for the education and upbringing of more than 40 000 of Lesotho needy children since 1961, will be held at the Tholoana ea Lerato Shelter at Masite on December 6.

King Letsie III is expected to lead the planting of a commemorative tree as well as unveil a monument in honour of the two at this ceremony, which has been organised by grateful recipients of their assistance. The Honorary Consul of Canada to Lesotho, Mrs. Barbara White, is also expected at the commemoration.

Mrs. Coaker was a founder member of the Save the Children Fund, a relief agency originating in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, in Lesotho in 1961 and served for many years as its president. She died in 1989. Father Maekana was responsible for the founding of the Tholoana ea Lerato Boys Shelter in 1967 and was also instrumental in the establishment of another shelter at Ha 'Mantsase in the Mohale's Hoek district.

Both were responsible not only for the two shelters but also helped in the establishment of the Resource Centre for the Blind and another Boys Shelter in Maseru; the Bethel Centre for Girls in 1980. The SCF also assisted the Roman Catholic Church run Motsekuoa Centre for the Disabled at Mrs. Coaker's behest.

4 December 2003