‘Mantoetse Maama

China’s Ambassador to Lesotho, HU Dingxian on Tuesday encouraged 40 students from Lesia and Masowe high schools to work hard in order to excel in their studies.

The ambassador made the remarks during the embassy’s Open Day celebration held under the theme, Charming China.

The students were awarded scholarships through a programme called  ‘China Lesotho People to People Friendship Action Fund’.

Ambassador Dingxian said: “About two years ago, the embassy set up a programme called ‘China Lesotho People to People Friendship Action Fund’ to sponsor needy children. You cannot make a choice of your family. You have to be confident of yourself; coming from a poor family is not a sin. It is a stepping stone for you to make progress and it is also a driving force for you to work hard. Being from a poor family makes you stronger.”

The scholarships, he added, cover the five years of the learners’ high school education and could be extended to cover their university studies.

In his vote-of-thanks, Lesia High School Principal, Mathafeng Moteuli, expressed gratitude for the scholarships, which he said would go a long way to help the learners at least complete their secondary education.

“Through this initiative, there are students who became motivated and  promised to work hard in their studies. This funding is really making a difference in the lives of these poor children,” he said.

One of the students from Masowe High School, Lepipi Matooane, said the scholarship had come as a blessing in his life.

“The support came at a time my parents were experiencing financial problems and I was not going to complete my high school studies. I am going to work hard so that I will also get a university scholarship,” Matooane said.