Founded in 2004, Help Lesotho is a Canadian initiative partnering public, private and volunteer resources to provide hope and support to the children of this small mountain kingdom entirely surrounded by South Africa. One of the poorest countries in the world, Lesotho has the third highest rate of HIV/AIDS on earth. Over 30% of children are orphaned and life expectancy is rapidly falling to 31 years. Over 60% of the population is under 24 years of age. With a rapidly decreasing population of 2.1 million and a landmass of 30,500 sq. km, it is an unusually homogeneous population of 99.7% Basotho people, of whom 80% are Christian. It therefore does not have the racial and ethnic conflicts that draw media attention. It is a forgotten country.

Called Roof of Africa by virtue of being the third highest country in the world, Lesotho is a small, mountainous and deforested country, with almost no natural resources. Well into its 5th year of debilitating drought, there is also a crucial water and food shortage. Soil erosion is expected to deplete arable land by 2040. An unemployment rate reaching 50-60% and an alarming degree of crime and stock theft are producing an unprecedented state of poverty.

There are now over 6,000 Basotho (the name of the people of Lesotho) children benefiting from Help Lesotho projects. There are thousands of Canadian students writing to their pen pals in English, their second language. In Canada, hundreds are involved in various ways. Funds are raised by children for children. Schools, churches, and individuals have come forward with real compassion to form relationships with our Basotho friends. In Lesotho, there are over 20 projects underway, with more in the final planning stages. The media have been remarkably supportive. We humbly thank each person who has contributed.

• Raise public awareness of the crisis situation in Lesotho
• Twin schools and build one-one relationships between Canadians and the people of Lesotho
• Develop simple, low-cost, accountable, locally based and championed projects in Lesotho
• Promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among youth in Lesotho
• Foster hope and motivation in the children
• Support Lesotho teachers and schools with programs, resources, and volunteers
• Develop leadership and a sense of civic responsibility among Lesotho youth

HELP LESOTHO (HL) ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

Help Lesotho only works with strong leaders in both countries. Financial accountability is essential to honour the donors and to build trust. Canadian schools and individual children work very hard to raise the funds sent to Lesotho. They are eager to help their Basotho friends and expect to hear about where and how the funds have been spent.

Accountability is imbedded into each of the HL projects. Each school or project has a Project Leader who is responsible for the workings of his/her project(s).

1. A strong and diverse Board of Directors supervises the on-going measures and practices of the organization.
2. Funds are allocated to specific projects (in consultation with the Canadian school or donor) and sent to Lesotho to a designated HL bank account.
3. Only Project Leaders (including school principals) are given funds (cheques) and only for authorized, specific projects and purposes.
4. Each Project Leader must have a separate Help Lesotho bank account to en sure that our funds are not mixed with others and that the paper trail is clear.
5. Photos are taken and receipts collected.
6. Volunteers sent to particular villages for 1-6 months supervise the details of expenditures.
7. Periodically, accountants are sent to Lesotho to ensure good management and accountability (two in 2005).

Sam Moses, Marcia Elder and Friends