The Bana Project of Lesotho

Orphaned Bana

Critical Intervention

Lesotho has an HIV/AIDS rate of 31% – one of the highest in the world. According to WHO, AVERT and UNICEF data, there is now a generation of children standing alone, with a life expectancy of only 40 years of age. And according to current government data, the number of AIDS orphans increased in 2009 to over 120,000, — representing about 7% of the Basotho people.

The critical nature of our care is reflected in a recent IPS news article about Lesotho AIDS orphans, which said, “High levels of poverty, chronic food insecurity and the high prevalence of HIV have seriously endangered the children of Lesotho. Many leave school early to look after their siblings, or fend for themselves after their HIV positive parents die.” Each month The Bana Project of Lesotho receives new pleas for help from villages, chiefs, schools, and orphaned or abandoned children. Many times, simply due to budget constraints, we are forced to turn them away, knowing they will go away hungry or cold.

The Bana Project seeks to not only provide regular hot meals in the village areas most affected, but also provides blankets, shoes and school uniforms and supplies to the registered orphans. We also are in the process of establishing an agricultural program to teach gardening, farming, and animal husbandry to the orphans and the Village Committees who oversee the direct care of the orphans in each village.

Basotho Boys

Orphan Girl

Playing

There is a very special story about this young boy. About the same time we started The Bana Project, he was found inside a plastic bag beside a trail between the villages – discarded like common trash. He was rescued and is alive today because someone cared more about Life than about reputation!

These feet need shoes!

Shoes

Transport!

For years, The Bana Project of Lesotho, has had to rely on public transportation and/or expensive rented vehicles to transport food, supplies and equipment on our regular village outreaches and meal programs. But we are celebrating now!

In the month of November 2009, because of our generous private donors, we were able to purchase a good used Nissan Hardbody 1 ton 4WD pickup! This will allow us greater mobility (pun intended) and the possibility of wider outreach into remote mountain areas where our help is desperately needed.

Enjoy these photos and celebrate with us!