Action Lesotho

Humanitarian and Development Aid from Ireland to the Kingdom of Lesotho

News: August 2014

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Involvement in National Jobs Summit

news lesothoAction Lesotho has been invited to be send representatives to Lesotho’s important National Jobs Summit which is being held in November. The aim is to develop a National Jobs Strategy and Action Lesotho is looking forward to having a significant input through membership of a number of the Technical Working Groups (TWGs), including Tourism, Arts & Crafts and Agriculture.

Our In-Country Director, Pippa Kearon, recently met with the Minister of Development Planning, Dr Moeketsi Majoro (pictured) to brief him on the work of Action Lesotho in relation to improving education and job creation.

Action Lesotho’s General Manager Retires

News2_Nt_MankoeNtate Linne Mankoe has been at the helm of Action Lesotho (formerly Twinning the Kingdoms) since it was formed in 2006. He has been a truly inspirational leader, able to influence people from the highest level of government to the poorest in society. He worked with great enthusiasm, dedication, thoughtfulness, honesty and humour.

He had a genuine desire to change people’s lives for the better and made an impact wherever he went. He can retire, proud to know he has made a difference to the lives of many of the poorest in society. The Action Lesotho team is committed to continuing his good work and honouring his huge legacy.

2014 Harvest is Best Yet

Lesotho Harvest 2014This yield for this year’s maize crop on the Action Lesotho farm averaged 4 tonnes per hectare. This is a great achievement considering that only a few years ago the yield was less than 1t/ha.

Our Farm Manager Molemo Lethea is delighted at the progress and with the number of farmers who have attended training & information sessions with our farm advisor. The harvested grain will be going to a number of places including patients on our Malimpho Programme, to the landowners as rent and also for sale to the World Food Programme.

Great Progress in 2014

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lesoto

Action Lesotho’s current 3-year programme started on 1st
January 2012, and the first year has been one of very
satisfactory progress, with few setbacks.

On all fronts objectives are being achieved, even if some have taken
longer to get off the ground than we expected. We now
have a substantial operation in Lesotho, with a permanent
staff of 6 full-time and 2 part-time Basotho employees, a
considerable amount of physical assets in place, a large
range of activities going on, and visible improvements
taking place in the lives of a significant number of people,
the benefits of which spill out to help many others.
Farm: for the second year in a row, our farm team
produced a crop of maize which surpassed anything
grown in the surrounding locality. This was a great
achievement in a year which saw widespread crop failure
both in Lesotho and in South Africa.

Homestead projects: we helped more than 60 local
families to grow vegetables and raise hens for egg
production during 2012 and established a demonstration
garden.

New Project Supports Pig Farmers

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Pig ProjectFunds from Ireland’s Action on Lesotho charity have been earmarked to help pig farmers in Lesotho who are working to develop sustainable businesses for the future.

This is one of Action Lesotho micro enterprise projects and it involves a cooperative of 14 members who are breeding, rearing and fattening pigs for the meat market. Members of the group have been trained in pig rearing, and have built stys too. The group is now working to expand the business by building farrowing houses.

The group has been supported with its start up costs, with a loan from Action Lesotho. This loan can be paid back to Action Lesotho either through work on other Action Lesotho projects or in cash. The group have been building keyhole gardens for sick clients on the Malimpo Feeding Programme for which their labour comes off the loan.

National Craft Symposium

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2. craft symposium

Action Lesotho organised a pioneering National Craft Symposium, which was very kindly hosted by the Irish
Embassy and officially closed by HRH Prince Seeiso. The delegates (pictured) included Government officials,
industry organisations, craft groups, academics & NGOs.

The highlight was the establishment of a Sector Wide National Working Forum. This is a
hugely significant and important step in terms of developing the Art & Craft Sector in Lesotho. Some of the
other main outcomes from the symposium were:

  • A recognition that the Craft Sector has significant economic potential.
  • An agreement that the key to the future success of the Craft Sector is investment in Arts & Craft
    education throughout the education system as well as continued learning opportunities for those
    engaged in the Craft Sector.
  • An understanding that linkages between third level educational establishments and existing craft
    sector workers/companies are essential in bridging the gap between those with production skills and
    those with training in design and technology.
  • Arts & Crafts are intrinsically linked with Tourism, Heritage & Culture and synergy is essential in terms of planning & development in all these areas
  • Before attending Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, investment is needed to ensure that products are
    developed which are of high design & production quality, draw on the heritage & culture of Lesotho.
    and are packaged/labelled appropriately

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