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Unicef increases its support to Sentebale and its work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children

July 2010 - Sentebale has received a follow up grant to continue the Letsema programme which was initiated by Sentebale, Unicef and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in 2008.

Sentebale will receive US$ 267,000 over eighteen months to strengthen and develop the Letsema network of local community groups and international NGOs working with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs). The network, which currently comprises more than over 325 organisations, is committed to fostering cooperation, collaboration and communication between all OVC funders and service providers in Lesotho through the collection and dissemination of information. Sentebale also hosts monthly Letsema Forums which are attended by more than 60 organisations.

In addition to the information work Letsema has already been doing, a new capacity building component has been added to the programme. Organisations working with OVC will have access to training and development in order to raise the level of care they provide for OVCs and increase transparency, accountability and effectiveness.

"..... Civil society is a key partner to foster community involvement at grassroots level and empower them to take care of OVC” said Dr. Naqib Safi, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Lesotho.

“It is very evident that effective collaboration is key to making the biggest impact for the most vulnerable children and communities in Lesotho - this is why we established the Letsema network. Unicef's continued support will go a long way in ensuring an integrated and collaborative approach to address the issues of OVC” commented Becky Banton, Sentebale, Letsema support officer.

“All these activities and the involvement of civil society organizations will be instrumental in reaching the most vulnerable OVC with a holistic package of social protection interventions to reduce their vulnerability, break the cycle of poverty that engulfs over half of the population and realize the right of every child to reach their full potential” said Ms. Mantsenki Mphalane, Chief Child Welfare Officer, Ministry of health and Social Welfare.

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