Limpho Sello
INSURANCE giant, Metropolitan Lesotho, has donated a Toyota Hilux double cab bakkie to assist charity organisation, Sentebale, in its operations.
This was after Sentebale had approached Metropolitan Lesotho requesting a car to use for administrative purposes. A well-wisher from Maseru eventually donated the needed vehicle, prompting the Sentebale officials to inform Metropolitan Lesotho that it was no longer needed.
However, the insurance giant went on to donate the brand new 4×4 vehicle to Sentebale, which was founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso from the British and Lesotho royal families respectively.
The charity organisation was formed in response to the plight of Lesotho’s orphans and vulnerable children.
This was after Prince Harry came to Lesotho in 2004 as Prince Seeiso’s guest to spend part of his gap year working as a volunteer on a number of local welfare projects.
Sentebale, which translates in English to “forget me not”, was born out of that experience and Prince Harry’s desire to continue his late mother Princess Diana’s work with disadvantaged children.
The charity helps vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana get the support they need to lead healthy and productive lives. Sentebale works with local grassroots organisations to help the vulnerable children, some of whom are victims of extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In her remarks during the handover ceremony at Queen Mamohato Children’s Centre on Tuesday, Sentebale Country Director Palesa Mphohle, lauded Metropolitan Lesotho for going the extra mile.
She said the vehicle would be used in the implementation of various Sentebale projects and programmes in the country’s districts.
Ms Mphohle also pointed out that the all-terrain vehicle would come in handy since some of the areas they visited included the highlands regions with poor roads.
“We are therefore very grateful to Metropolitan Lesotho for your support in lending a helping hand to the children of this country that we are helping in various ways,” she said.
“The programmes we are implementing need your collaboration and support so that we can be able to help these children.”
Sentebale patron, Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, also lauded the gesture, saying the vehicle would go a long way in helping the charity organisation achieve its goals.
For his part, Metropolitan Managing Director Nkau Matete stressed the importance of giving to the community by local companies.
He said even though they had been informed that a well-wisher had already donated a vehicle, they still decided to hand over the truck to help Sentebale’s operations.
“It’s a good thing for locals to support charity organisations even with the little that they have,” Mr Matete said.
“Our policy of giving back to the community is also in keeping with our celebration of 50 years of operation. We want the community to taste the benefits we bring to them as they also bring business to us.”
