News & Events

Lesotho Child Counselling Unit
The new building is finally complete and the children will shortly move in. The new refuge has been furnished with supplies and equipment and a 'Playpump' has been installed to provide water and fun for the children. A new Board has been established with all key organisations involved in dealing with child abuse in Lesotho, and they are in the process of agreeing a National Referral form and system for dealing with abused children. This will be linked to the new Children's Help Line launched in Lesotho in May 2008. Sadly 'M'e Matheboho who was one of the co-founders of the LCCU with Lydia died of cancer a few weeks ago. One of the new girls wings will be named after her and a tree planted on site in her memory.

Special Needs
Sentebale is now working with four special needs organisations; St Bernadette's Resource Centre for the Blind, St Angela's Home for the Disabled, Kananelo Centre for the Deaf and Thuso E Tla Tsoa Kae Centre for children with multiple disabilities. Working closely alongside both government and non-government organisations that specialise in special needs across Lesotho, we are establishing a clearer idea of how to really help and support these organisations and the children in their care. Major building work is being done at the Thuso Centre where security and living conditions will be dramatically improved. We have funded nine volunteer staff working here as well as all of the children's food. We are also funding the Lesotho College of Education (LCE) to develop a facilities plan for a new structure, intended to house their New Advanced Diploma Course for teachers training in Special Needs Education. The first course of 50 teachers will start their one year Advanced Diploma in July 2008.

Methodist Children's Centre
Sentebale assisted with the purchase of two diesel generators for the Children's Centre in May, on behalf of Mike Evans from the USA. The generators will ensure that the Centre will have a guaranteed supply of energy during the frequent power outages currently taking place across Lesotho. This is particularly important over the following winter months when the cold really sets in. We have also secured 12 school bursaries for some of the children and paid fees for the other children. The Centre now has 70 live-in orphans and is helping a further 31 in the community; it also provides a Shepherd's Night School for 42 herd boys, three nights a week.

Mants'ase Children's Home
Sentebale is an active member of the Board of Management for the Children's Home and recently committed funding for the position of a General Manager. The Manager is due to be in place by mid July and will greatly improve the overall management and running of the Home. Sentebale supported 50% of the running costs of Mants'ase in 2007/08 and we have continued this in 2008/09 and included the costs of a manager and other support for the house. There will be a new dormitory and toilet block built in 2008 with funds from a UK based charity now called Amzizi which has donated £28,000 towards this new development.