This sentiment was echoed by members of households benefited from World Vision seeds distribution in Malument ADP in Mafeteng district.

The World Vision OVC Food Security project is implemented in five Area Development Programs (ADPs) namely Kota, Lenkoane, Taung, Malumeng and Sekameng in the districts of Leribe, Berea, Mafeteng and Mohale’s hoek.

“I have no words to express my appreciation for seeds that helped me to produce not only food for consumption but also for sale in order to generate income,” said one of the benefited guardian Maneo Mahase 43 years from the drought hit district of Mafeteng in Haturupu village.

According to Mahase, World Vision gave her vegetables seeds such as beetroots, tomatoes, onions, carrots, spinach, cabbage and rape as well as crops seeds such sorghum, potatoes and maize during 2008/9 farming season.

“Right now I am still eating vegetables and potatoes with my family and also sold some potatoes to the tune of M500.00 (US$ 63.00) where 10 kilograms bag of potatoes was sold at M35 (US$ 5.00) each while a bunch of three beetroots is M5.00 and cabbage is M5.00,” she said.

“The money I accumulated from sales I bought a 50kg bag of maize meal because my maize is not yet ready for harvest and also bought other basic needs such as soap, salt, candles and match box,” said Mahase.

Mahase planted her seeds using organic farming that use low cost kraal manure and ashes. When it is too dry she waters her vegetables with water from the nearby river where the mixture of kraal manure, ashes and soil help to preserve moisture during dry season.

Mahase lost her husband from long illness in 2004 but with the help of seeds and knowledge of low cost drought resistant farming techniques, Mahase is now able to produce food for her family and sell some. “I’ m no more begging for food from neighbors but sell my surplus.” Thank to World Vision and Global Fund grants.

Another Makhalimane Khalimane sold her potatoes and earned M400.00 that she bought a truck suit to warm her young child Moipone 11 years-girl during this winter months. “I also sold tomatoes to the tune of M360 and bought bread flour.”

Malerato Molupe also benefited from seeds. Her husband died in 2008 and left her with their five children.

“When my husband died life has always been tough for me and children. I used to sell home-brew to survive but later I realized people do not buy then I left to town to be a domestic worker but I had to come back home because I did not felt good to abandoned my young children and look after other people’s children,” said Molupe.

Molupe came back home and received seeds to produce her own food. “Life will never be the same but with garden produces it is now better because I also get help from other extended family members.”

The OVC food security is the joint venture project between the Government of Lesotho and World Vision Lesotho. The project is designed or intended to improve the food security and livelihood of OVC in five ADPs mentioned above. The program is oriented to assist children to attain greater food security and income from their backyard gardens through organic farming. The main activities of the project are to produce trench gardens and up-scaling successful key hole- gardens and conservation farming in the project area.

The project covered the total number of 2500 beneficiaries across five ADPs. Although the project seemed to be more on the agricultural production, it is actual the mitigation response on the prevailing pandemic, namely HIV/AIDS. The rationale being that studies revealed that HIV and AIDS is a leading factor in the drastic reduction of household food and income for much of the population, thus a critical factor affecting household food security in Lesotho.