At the U.S Embassy in Maseru September 23, 2019, Ambassador Rebecca E. Gonzales joined by Acting Minister Temeki Tsolo and Deputy Minister of Education and Training ‘Maphoka Motoboli officially awarded grants worth approximately 3.6 million Maloti to three community-based organizations, eight schools and four civic organizations. These projects are supported through the U.S President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Small Grants program, the U.S Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, and Public Diplomacy grants respectively.
Each year, PEPFAR sets aside approximately 2.1 million Maloti to support communities across Lesotho through its Small Grants Program to help local communities and organizations strengthen the care and support they provide to HIV/AIDS patients and to families affected by the disease. Through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, the U.S. Embassy in Maseru has supported schools and local community organizations across Lesotho for more than 40 years, and these funds have enabled many Basotho communities across all the ten districts to improve their socio-economic conditions. Projects have ranged from providing new classrooms that alleviate overcrowding and provide shelter for Basotho youth, boreholes that provide safe water for entire communities, and pit latrines that increase overall hygiene and prevent disease.
“These projects – one of many U.S. assistance programs here – are a testament to the strong ties between the people of the United States and the Basotho people, and our shared commitment to building a prosperous future for all Basotho. One key reason the programs have over the years been so successful is because of the buy-in and commitment from the communities themselves.” stressed Ambassador Gonzales during the ceremony.
Three grants totaling more than 925, 000 maloti were also awarded for public diplomacy activities, including programming at the American Corner in Maseru and around the country as part of the Know Your Rights, Know Your Obligations, and Know Your People campaign. Grantees include BAM Group Foundation, Sesotho Media & Development, and Transformation Resource Center. Focused on bringing people together on issues of importance, particularly youth, women, and marginalized groups, these grants reflect the long-standing partnership between Lesotho and the United States to promote civic engagement, professional development, entrepreneurship, health, and cultural exchange, as well as to address issues like gender-based violence and discrimination.
Below is the list of the organizations and schools that will be supported through the PEPFAR Small Grants Program and Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Funds:
| Group | Pontmain Health Center |
| District | Leribe |
| Project | Adolescent Health Corner |
| Award Amount | $21,493 |
6.
| Group | Phomolong Support Group |
| District | Maseru |
| Project | Layers Project |
| Award Amount | $12,850 |
5.
| Group | Lesotho Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS |
| District | Maseru |
| Project | Index Testing and Partner Notification |
| Award Amount | $21,505 |
4.
| Group | St. Francis Primary School |
| District | Qacha’s Nek |
| Project | Layers Project |
| Award Amount | $9,637 |
5.
| Group | Monyane Primary School |
| District | Qacha’s Nek |
| Project | Layers Project |
| Award Amount | $10,852 |
6.
| Group | Maru-A-Tona Elelloang Basotho Farmers Association |
| District | Leribe |
| Project | Broilers Project |
| Award Amount | $5,698 |
7.
| Group | Disabled and HIV/AIDS Organization Lesotho |
| District | Maseru |
| Project | Layers Project, Mapping Exercise, Awareness-Raising, Training for Caregivers |
| Award Amount | $21,560 |
8.
| Group | Rutanang Community Foundation |
| District | Mohale’s Hoek |
| Project | Greenhouses and Vegetable Production |
| Award Amount | $22,726 |
| Group | Patriot Vision in Action |
| District | Maseru |
| Project | Capacity Building of FY19 PEPFAR Small Grants Program Grantees |
| Award Amount | $18,550 |
| Group | Matsaile Primary School |
| District | Thaba-Tseka |
| Project | Block of Two Classrooms |
| Award Amount | $10,421 |
11.
| Group | Tsenoleng Primary School |
| District | Qacha’s Nek |
| Project | Kitchen and Pit Latrines |
| Award Amount | $9,255 |
12.
| Group | St. Margaret Primary School |
| District | Leribe |
| Project | Pit Latrines |
| Award Amount | $6,391 |
13.
| Group | Hermitage Primary School |
| District | Qacha’s Nek |
| Project | Kitchen and Pit Latrines |
| Award Amount | $8,212 |
14.
| Group | Matholeng High School |
| District | Mafeteng |
| Project | Pit Latrines |
| Award Amount | $10,216 |
15.
| Group | Bolahla Primary School |
| District | Qacha’s Nek |
| Project | Block of Two Classrooms |
| Award Amount | $10,505 |
Click here for more information about our grant programs.
