The Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) distributed blankets and garden tools as well as seeds to 375 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) drawn from three councils of Berea namely Montanasela D07, Kueneng D03 and Makeoane D01.

The distribution started on January 25 to February 10, 2010. This distribution is part of OVC essential services project that is funded by Global Fund Round 7 grant whose aim is to ensure food security and livelihood interventions. The last distribution in Berea was held on February 10, 2010 at Montanasela council.

The total of 125 children in each council benefited from the project with garden tools, seeds and blankets. The garden tools include spade, fork, rake, watering cane, hand fork and wheel barrow as well as vegetables and crop seeds.

The beneficiaries are selected jointly by village chief, councilor and care givers while later the beneficiary list will be assessed and approved by District Social Welfare. One of the Councilor Mr. Lebohang Monyake indicated that the beneficiaries are needy orphans who lost both or one parent and as well as those who are vulnerable.

Speaking during distribution, the Chairman of Montanasela council Mr. Pitso Ramatlama appealed to the guardians to use the tools effectively to produce vegetables to ensure food security.

He urged the guardians not to separate orphaned children from their children but they should be treated the same and warned that they should not be call names such as orphans. “These are future leaders, let us guide them as our children and stop abusing them,” he added.

Kananelo Lehasoa 13years, Bokang Malakoane 11 years and Thabiso Matlere 10 years are among the OVC benefited from the garden tools, seeds and blankets. The three thanked their community leader for selecting them to benefit from this assistance. They also thanked the donors who helped Red Cross to help the needy children in their area.

The Lesotho Red Cross Berea Project Officer Ms. Ntili Lekhosa said the project previously distributed food packages and seeds to 375 OVC and this time the same children were given garden tools and blankets.