The staff of Global Fund Coordinating Unit (GFCU) in Lesotho commemorated World AIDS day with OVC at Ha Ramashilika village in Nazareth in the outskirts of the capital Maseru on December 1^st, 2009.

As part of commemoration, the GFCU staff planted vegetables to home stead gardens of two orphans families living in child headed households.

Later on the day, the GFCU staff handed over gifts to 38 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in the village.  The gifts include full uniform comprised of shoes, socks, shirt, jersey, trousers/skirt/dress as well as Christmas clothing and toiletries such as tooth paste, bath soap, roll-on, face towel and body Vaseline.

The 38 OVC were coming from different 20 families within Ha Ramashilika village. The GFCU staff further donated vegetables seeds and garden tools which include a wheel barrow, rake, spade, digging fork and watering cane to maintain their gardens.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at Ha Ramashilika, the GFCU Coordinator Mrs. Nkhala Sefako explained that this event is part of World AIDS day commemoration in remembrance of people affected and infected of HIV and AIDS.

She said the OVC are the worst affected group of society by HIV and therefore GFCU decided to give them few gifts in order to transform their lives.

“We hope the uniform will make you look similar to other children and encourage you to stay in school,” she added.

“Education is a key to better future so it is our belief that all the care and support you receive will encourage you to concentrate and work hard in your studies,” She explained.

The children were happy with the gifts especially uniform as some were barefoot and had no proper uniform therefore they looked different from other children.

The benefited OVC were identified with the help of village care-giver Mrs. Makhotso Sefali. In her remarks Mrs. Sefali thanked Lesotho Red Cross Society for selecting their village and thanked Global fund for providing these special gifts to OVC at a time when they need most.

“May God bless you and give you more so that you can give to other needy children in future,” said Mrs. Sefali.

In closing remarks the Deputy GFCU Coordinator Mr. Mokhothu Makhalanyane mentioned that people always plan but it is upon God who fulfils and helps people to accomplish their plans. He thanked all the people who work tirelessly to make this event a success.  He encouraged care-givers to countinue with their good work of caring and supporting OVC and the sick people.

This is the first time for GFCU to commemorate World AIDS Day with OVC in the remote village. Usually they commemorate with children in the orphanage homes.