
Loantsang

This is a Community Development Centre and HIV/AIDS Support Group which has been funded by the Bantry Friends of Lesotho. Action Lesotho volunteers, a team of Basotho workers and volunteers from the community put their might behind the building programme in the Autumn of 2009 and the Support Group moved into the new community centre at the start of October 2009. The centre is now managed by Action Lesotho's Enterprise Officer Mojalefa Oliphant.
The centre is kitted out with 10 computers and a small library. It is a focal point in the community for the provision of advice and training. Courses held to date have included entrepreneurship, IT skills, woodworking, childcare, English and first aid. Mojalefa also operates a small Citizens Advice Service and government service providers (e.g. Social Welfare) hold clinics there on a regular basis.
The centre provides a weekend Youth Development Programme (combined with a Feeding Programme) for up to 103 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). Apart from receiving hot meals, the children also take part in a range of activities e.g. drama classes, computers, cycling and health awareness discussions. Action Lesotho's nurse, 'M'e Futho, makes monthly visits to check the childrens' health.
Until October 2011, the centre was also a World Food Programme Distribution point for malnourished infants and vulnerable children. Action Lesotho is now working with the former recipients of this aid to help them grow their own food and find employment.
The support group committee, who work out of the centre, cook meals for the children visiting the centre, provide essential services for critically sick people in the area and also plan to start an after school programme for OVCs.