‘Mantoetse Maama
MASERU — UNESCO and Econet Telecom Lesotho on Thursday signed a partnership to provide internet services to disadvantaged libraries in Lesotho.
Under the initiative ETL will provide internet services at a reduced cost to indentified places for a period of 10 months.
According to the two parties the project is meant to provide and enhance access to information to disadvantaged communities in the country.
Libraries that are set to benefit are the State Library in Mafeteng, Media Centre in Mafeteng, the State Library in Thaba-Tseka, and the Institute of Extra Mural Studies in Maseru and its library.
The 10 month period will commence upon installation of internet at each library.
Secretary general of UNESCO Lesotho, Mapaseka Kolotsane said the signing of their partnership with ETL was a ground breaking event.
She said ETL is the first private sector organisation to partner with them on a community project as they mostly deal with the public sector.
The project is expected to benefit young people in disadvantaged areas to access information.
“This could even help them start their own businesses as they will have access to information easily,” Kolotsane said.
Public servants will also be able to access information and communicate with colleagues in other ministries.
The students and teachers will also get information concerning their studies and researches projects.
Mpine Tente from ETL said they as service providers they had only concentrated in the city forgetting about the disadvantaged groups.
She said she believed that they were not only going to offer services to those selected places but there would be many more disadvantaged communities that would also get access to internet.
She said she hoped their partnership would last forever.
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