Seithati Mphatsoane
THE European Union (EU) has donated equipment worth €180 000 (about M3, 1 million) to 22 local non-government organisations (NGOs) working with disadvantaged groups.
The equipment was used by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for the 7 October 2022 elections. It includes office furniture, personal medical kits, computers, Wi-Fi routers, tables, mobile phones and printers.
Five community radios and NGOs including Red Cross Lesotho, Bacha Re Bacha Youth Forum, Touching Tiny Lives, Maletsonyane Theatre Club, Lerato Community Centre, Hands of Compassion, Morate Cerebral Palsy Association of Lesotho, The Hub, Bethel Business and Community Development, Ratang Community Foundation and Faith House received the donation.
St Paul for the Deaf, Development for Peace and Education, Young Christian Students and Impact School also benefited.
Speaking at a recent handover ceremony, European Ambassador to Lesotho, Paola Amadei, said they decided to donate to organisations that had educational programmes for the disadvantaged, including children and the disabled.
Ms Amadei said they had agreed with EU EOM to donate the equipment to organisations based outside Maseru.
“We are trying to do away with the tendency of donating to organisations in Maseru forgetting those in the districts,” Ms Amadei said.
“This equipment should not be sold or used for personal use.”
Speaking at the same event, Moeling Community Radio manager, Moorosi Lazaro, said he was humbled by the gift.
“The equipment will go a long way in improving our work. We have always needed it but could not afford it,” Mr Lazaro said.
Leratong Community Centre’s Motena Tau also thanked the EU for the donation.
“Our sponsors are unable to cover all our needs. Most of our children need access to phones to do their school assignments but they cannot afford them. This equipment is going to be very helpful,” Ms Tau said.
