Limpho Sello
Caritas Lesotho on Friday presented garden equipment and vegetable seed to Sekamaneng-based Centre for the Poor and Less Privileged (CPLP) as part of commemorating World Food Day (WFD).
WFD is celebrated globally every year on 16 October to recognise the founding of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many organisations concerned with food security, including the World Food Programme and International Fund for Agricultural Development. The World Food Day theme for 2014 was ‘Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth’.
Speaking at Friday’s handover ceremony of the garden implements, which included three spades, two watering cans and six vegetable seed variety, Caritas Lesotho National Director Relebohile Mabote said: “Although 16 October was yesterday, we chose to hold the celebration today, Friday, when the children have all the time to celebrate with us.
“Caritas Lesotho chose this orphanage because we realised that we will be able to visit often to observe how you have progressed because we are based in Maseru. We will even get a chance to give guidance where you need help in terms of food-production.”
The CPLP coordinator, Sister Christina Motlomelo, in her vote-of-thanks, said the donation would go a long way in helping the centre become self-reliant.
“This equipment, as well as the training Caritas has provided to our children, is going to be very beneficial to the centre especially now that donors are no longer willing to assist us,” Sister Motlomelo said.
“This vegetable seed we have planted today will ensure the children don’t go to bed on empty stomachs. Caritas has also taught us that we do not have to be dependent on donations but should be able to produce our own food.”
Caritas is a Roman Catholic Church (RCC) Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), with bases in over 150 countries. Caritas Lesotho was formed in 1972 and focuses mostly on relief, emergencies, food security and HIV/AIDS-related programmes, through which the organisation trains vulnerable households and orphanages to produce their own food to eliminate poverty and hunger.
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