Lawyer & Lawyer

The effect HIV/AIDS has had on the economy of Lesotho as a whole cannot be understated. The rural communities are most affected. Lesotho has the third highest burden of HIV in the world with prevalence at 23.0% (Lesotho DHS 2009). 41.5% of the 1.9million people are under 18 and another 21.2% above age 40. 1 in every 18 is an orphan and the average life span is set at 45 years. Women are most affected and infected by HIV as the prevalence of HIV in the antenatal group is higher than the general population.

Most of the children have been abandoned and neglected by their parents and caregivers who have gone to work in South Africa and never return home or return home very sick and eventually die. However, most OVCs in this community go to school but are not motivated because of lack of educational materials and little or no social support for the children and the youth. The caregivers are sick and have no substantial means of livelihood.

The project objectives incorporate the care and support of OVCs and their families using community driven family based approach.

The goal is to ensure that OVCs enjoy standard livelihood within a supportive environment.

WODECO gave technical support and consulted for Centre for Impacting Lives (CIL), Lesotho in executing the project titled "Impacting Lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Mohales Hoek" supported by USAID fixed obligation grant through Management Sciences for Health, Lesotho. WODECO also helped in developing human resource, financial and child protection policies that are simple and practicable.

CIL was linked to international organization including Coady International Institute, Canada. CIL got sponsorship at this institute for a staff to acquire a certificate in Community Development Leadership by women.

WODECO have particularly built the capacity of CIL staff in developing household economic strengthening and women empowerment activities, food and nutrition activities in the communities CIL operates. These activities include Community voluntary saving and loans society and microfinance.