The Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Food Security Project of World Vision Lesotho distributed garden tools and seeds to 2500 families located in five Area Development Programs (ADPs) in preparation for this farming season.

The ADPs benefited are Kota, Malumeng, Sekameng, Mapoteng and Taung in the district of Leribe, Berea, Mafeteng and Mohale’s hoek. The distribution started in Mapoteng on September 17, Kota November 11, Malumeng November 12 while in Sekameng November 13 and Taung on November 19 respectively.

The Mapoteng distribution was held in a form of seed fare where beneficiaries used vouchers to buy seeds and tools, that later World Vision refunded all the suppliers while in Sekameng, the seeds distribution commenced with children match from Sekameng high school to the ADP office holding placards depicting child wellbeing messages such as enjoy good health, education, spiritual nurture, care, protection and child participation.  

Upon their arrival at the ADP office the chief of Bagoni area, Chieftainess  ‘Mamokhosi Bagoni thanked World Vision and Global Fund for the gift of tools and seeds that she said would change the lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in her area.

She appealed to guardians to use the tools and seeds effectively to produce food to curb hunger among OVC families. “We as ADP committee members will monitor the project to make sure the gift is used appropriately as intended to transform the lives of vulnerable families,” she said.

Addressing the guardians and children, the World Vision OVC Food Security Coordinator Mrs. Selloane Qhobela said OVC families will receive crops seeds comprised of maize, sorghum and potatoes as well as vegetables seeds. The tools distributed are digging fork and spade.

She called on all guardians to establish key-hole gardens at their home yards in order to produce green vegetables all year round and use their crop seeds to plant their fields for food security.

“It is World Vision’s aspiration to create an environment where children are protected, educated, food secure and healthy,” she added. 

One of the guardian received the seeds, Matiisetso Napenyane, 78, promised she will use the seed and garden tools to plant and produce her own vegetables and crops for orphans that is caring for.

Molefi Lerata, 13 years, just completed his primary and his ambition is to further his education to secondary school next year. Molefi’s father left them to the South Africa mines to work and he never came back nor looking after their family, later her mother left them to take up maid job in order to support the family. Molefi is therefore vulnerable and he benefited from seeds and garden tools. He promised to plan his home garden and fields.

The OVC food security project is funded by Global Fund Round 7 grant designed to improve the food security and livelihood of OVC in five ADPs mentioned above. During the first year the project assisted 2500 OVC families and this year the project is extended to the new 2500 beneficiaries.