MIXED NEWS
- Budget vs income for 2019/20:
Final figures: Budget was AUD13,604 while donations totalled AUD10,892. This is the first year that
Books for Lesotho has recorded a deficit. Thank you all who contributed over this difficult year. - The Barn has been operating at full swing since re-opening on 29 April with volunteers keen to be busy
and useful again even while taking precautions against the virus. Deliveries have continued over the
period, but at a much reduced rate – books are now needed!! Please ask at your local school, or friends
or….. - MITCHAM 50-AND-OVER EXERCISE GROUP
Members of this group has been a long-term supporters of B4L mainly through voluntary donations with
this usually being by way of placing small amounts into a “tin” at the entrance to their exercise sessions.
Things have been very unsettled for the group since the start of COVID-19 and upon return much
uncertainty about a venue. As a result, the regular pattern of giving has been disrupted and donations
are down. B4L hopes those of the group who have been loyal supporters will seek out the “tin” and start
up again. Thank you for your moral and $ support.
LOTS OF GOOD NEWS – Many items here!
- Many of our regular “suppliers” have continued or resumed supply to B4L. One of these is the Adelaide
Hills Council Library Service. Following the most recent delivery, Collections Support Offices Michaela
Dore shared that some of the staff were looking forward to retiring so they could join in the sorting and
packing operation – surely this means Books for Lesotho has a secure future!! - The annual shipment to the Rotary Club of Maloti (RCoMa) arrived at the Lesotho border with South
Africa on 31 August ready for customs clearance. Rotary members wrote that they were very excited as
the delivery was in time for Rotary Basic Education and Literacy Month in Lesotho which is being held
despite the close down of schools due to COVID-19.
I have learned since heard from ‘Me Yande Sikazwe-Mothae, 2020/21 President of RCoMa:
Thank you, David. Like I advised earlier, this is the right time for the books to come in. Schools are
reopening after the Covid situation and we have Basic Education and Literacy in Rotary this month – so
quite exciting. We are truly grateful for the support you render to Lesotho and extremely appreciative.
Regards
Yande
Rotary took possession of the shipment a few days later, as the first 2 images following testify!
3. David and Liz met Mr Mothae Moletsane when he worked for our other partner, Transformation Resource Centre (TRC). A few months ago, Mothae contacted B4L requesting books to start a community library in his village, Mpharane (in the Mohaleshoek district). As Rotary projects are more focussed on community development (which includes schools and pre-schools) than TRC (very focussed on schools), Rotary agreed to include books for that Mpharane library. Mothae collected the 5 boxes within a few days of their arrival with RCoMa and organised a launch of the new library.
Almost 100 people attended the opening on 11th September 2020 including from local communities, media outlets and special guests: Principal Chief of Pontseng, Mrs
‘Mamohale Mohale; other local chiefs; Chairperson of Thaba-Mikhele Community Council in Mpharane, Mr Mahlatsi Makakole; Ministry of Education District Resource Teacher, Mrs Kekeletso Kotelo; Headmaster of Mt Carmel School, Mr Lelingoana Moroke; members of RCoM including the District Governor (Mrs Maud Boikanyo), 2020 Club President (Mrs Yande Sikazwe-Mothae), President Elect (Ms Heshie Serobanyane), Past President and Director of Projects (Mr Tlhako Mokhoro), Past President and Director of Foundation (Ms Lucy Liphafa), Rotarian Ms Limpho Setomi and their 14 y.o. guest, Thabelo Serobanyane. You will notice local ladies carrying bread donated for the celebratory opening by Blue Ribbon Company.
Ntate Tlhako wrote to me, “It was definitely a resounding success, judging by enthusiasm of the local people, in particular. The speech by a representative he nearby school, which received books previously, sharing the benefits and experience with having a library.”
B4L trusts the books selected in far-away Adelaide will form the basis of a useful library in the community. We received a very prompt report on the suitability of our selection:
I’m very impressed with the choice of books we received. They are very good books indeed! We are very happy with the quality of the books, Regards Mothae”.
B4L congratulates Ntate Mothae Moletsane (shown left) on this initiative
and the Rotary Club of Maloti for supporting his efforts. B4L plans to
help the community add to the collection. (You might see the few books
on the shelves! Mr Mothae advises that the other boxes could not be
brought for the opening due to limited transport available at the time.)
RCoMa members do not sleep! On 22 September 2020, I received the following report from Mme
Yande Sikazwe-Mothae, current President of RCoMa:
ROTARY REACHES OUT TO THE JUVENILES – PRESS RELEASE
Today the Rotary Club of Maloti outdid themselves when they reached out to Juveniles who are considered to be
students at the Juveniles Training Center under Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) and donated educational
books to them. Speaking at the auspicious occasion, the president of the club Mrs Yande Sikazwe -Mothae said in
Rotary, they strongly believe in education, so much so that the month of September is themed Basic Education and
literacy month. She quoted the great Nelson Mandela when he said “Education is the most powerful weapon
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which you can use to change the world”, and she said they as Rotarians truly believe this hence why they
prioritise education. Mrs Sikazwe-Mothae mentioned that this Rotary year has been themed “Rotary opens
opportunities”, and therefore through education that they believe that opportunities can be opened.
Mrs Sikazwe-Mothae said they in Rotary are a group of volunteers who believe in “service above self”, they use
their time and resources to help those who are less fortunate and they do this in collaboration with other
organisations throughout the world. She mentioned that for the past few years, they have received educational
books from an organisation in Australia called Books for Lesotho through Mr David Linn which they then
distributed to schools. In the past two weeks they helped launch a library in Mpharane Mohale’s Hoek called
Mpharane Community Library. Last week they donated educational books to four schools being Lithabaneng
high school, Methodist high school, Life high school and St Angela high school. Notwithstanding they felt that the
students who consist of 5 girls and 32 boys who must be catered for and should not be forgotten in society as we
still owe them a responsibility to develop them and prepare them for life after rehabilitation . She said they
strongly believe that during their rehabilitation, education will play an important part in ensuring that they are
better citizens who can contribute to the development of the country.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of LCS Mr Majara portrayed his heartfelt gratitude towards Rotary. He said the
Juvenile Training Centre (JTC) is an institution where the Basotho children who have been in conflict with the
law are being sent to be guided and corrected properly by the staff of LCS, other members of the society and
officials from different Ministries like the department of Education . Commissioner Majara said to President
Yande that it was only a few days ago when she said they wished to donate the books from Australia that would
be used by the children so that they could develop themselves through these reading materials and today indeed
that became reality and he said he was thankful. He said it is important that education should be one of the
fundamental tools for children and they must not be discriminated as they too deserve education.
One of the beneficiaries on behalf of all juveniles (name withheld for protection of minor child) said he thanked
everyone, especially the Rotary Club of Maloti as they felt honoured to be given the books which he said they will
use for their education. He said their teacher will make sure they use the books well for their benefit. He also
thanked the media saying through them, people will know that they too exist. He further thanked Rotary that even
though they were in a correctional facility because they wronged the community they felt loved knowing that
others regard them as human beings and for that he said they were very grateful.
RCoMa members do not sleep! On 22 September 2020, I received the following report from Mme Yande Sikazwe-Mothae, current President of RCoMa:
ROTARY REACHES OUT TO THE JUVENILES – PRESS RELEASE
Today the Rotary Club of Maloti outdid themselves when they reached out to Juveniles who are considered to be students at the Juveniles Training Center under Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) and donated educational books to them. Speaking at the auspicious occasion, the president of the club Mrs Yande Sikazwe -Mothae said in Rotary, they strongly believe in education, so much so that the month of September is themed Basic Education and literacy month. She quoted the great Nelson Mandela when he said “Education is the most powerful weapon
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which you can use to change the world”, and she said they as Rotarians truly believe this hence why they prioritise education. Mrs Sikazwe-Mothae mentioned that this Rotary year has been themed “Rotary opens opportunities”, and therefore through education that they believe that opportunities can be opened.
Mrs Sikazwe-Mothae said they in Rotary are a group of volunteers who believe in “service above self”, they use their time and resources to help those who are less fortunate and they do this in collaboration with other organisations throughout the world. She mentioned that for the past few years, they have received educational books from an organisation in Australia called Books for Lesotho through Mr David Linn which they then distributed to schools. In the past two weeks they helped launch a library in Mpharane Mohale’s Hoek called Mpharane Community Library. Last week they donated educational books to four schools being Lithabaneng high school, Methodist high school, Life high school and St Angela high school. Notwithstanding they felt that the students who consist of 5 girls and 32 boys who must be catered for and should not be forgotten in society as we still owe them a responsibility to develop them and prepare them for life after rehabilitation . She said they strongly believe that during their rehabilitation, education will play an important part in ensuring that they are better citizens who can contribute to the development of the country.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of LCS Mr Majara portrayed his heartfelt gratitude towards Rotary. He said the Juvenile Training Centre (JTC) is an institution where the Basotho children who have been in conflict with the law are being sent to be guided and corrected properly by the staff of LCS, other members of the society and officials from different Ministries like the department of Education . Commissioner Majara said to President Yande that it was only a few days ago when she said they wished to donate the books from Australia that would be used by the children so that they could develop themselves through these reading materials and today indeed that became reality and he said he was thankful. He said it is important that education should be one of the fundamental tools for children and they must not be discriminated as they too deserve education.
One of the beneficiaries on behalf of all juveniles (name withheld for protection of minor child) said he thanked everyone, especially the Rotary Club of Maloti as they felt honoured to be given the books which he said they will use for their education. He said their teacher will make sure they use the books well for their benefit. He also thanked the media saying through them, people will know that they too exist. He further thanked Rotary that even though they were in a correctional facility because they wronged the community they felt loved knowing that others regard them as human beings and for that he said they were very grateful.
RCoMa Donates to
Juvenile Training Centre.mp4
Click on the arrow to view the video.
B4L congratulates all parties for the media coverage they secured which also included reference to the Australian contribution from Books for Lesotho Inc. We are proud of you.
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5. And Rotary (RCoMa) goes on excelling itself… On 23 September I received a message from Mme Yande that RCoMa was that day intending to distribute books to 5 schools, Less than 4 hours later Yande messaged, “Looks like we are now done.. All boxes distributed. Thank you again for making this possible.” Later, “I have absolutely enjoyed being at the helm of distribution (as Rotary President). Just seeing the happiness of the recipients is heart warming.” I think that says it all!
THE FUTURE
In the June 2020 Newsletter we reported the Board and volunteers had held a planning session to consider future directions. Investigations regarding opening a branch in Sydney continue despite delays mainly due to border closures between SA and NSW. Recent changes have removed that impediment. From Lesotho, TRC has reported that a 2nd shipment could be handled in a given year subject to covering additional costs in Lesotho.
After reading of these fantastic success stories, Books for Lesotho invites YOUR DONATION!
B4L started the 2020/21 financial year confident that funds will be raised to cover the shipping costs of another 11 pallets of books for our current two in-country partners, Rotary Club of Maloti and Transformation Resource Centre. We look forward to your continued support. Thank you…
David Linn
Chairman, Books for Lesotho Inc.
p.s. I expected this newsletter to be 2 pages, but obviously events have overtaken me. So, if you have reached this point and enjoyed reding of the successes, it will have been worth the effort. Ahead for you are the detailed reports from Mr Mothae Moletsane, and Mrs Teboho Lesei …please read on. David
MPHARANE COMMUNITY LIBRARY LAUNCHED WITH JUBILATIONS The official launching of Mpharane Community library was a dream come true for Mpharane Community. The place is located in the remote rural Southern district of Mohale’s Hoekin Lesotho, at the foothills of Thaba-Putsoa mountains range. The Mpharane Community described the opening of the library in their area as a long-awaited dream and enormous milestone that made history. The books were donated by Books for Lesotho (B4L) in Australia and Rotary Club of Maloti in Lesotho facilitated the official launch and opening of the community library. The community named the Library “Leseli (Light) of Mpharane Community Library, after the launch. The donated books range from Grade 7 to Lower Secondary level books, Pre-school to Grade 6 level, Upper secondary to Adult level “Fiction”, Upper Secondary to Adult level “non-fiction”, Upper Secondary to Adult level mixed “fiction” and “non-fiction” and Adult level “fiction” books. The Library will also provide the following services to the local communities; photo-copying and printing, Wi-Fi internet connections. Besides the donated books, some reading materials at library will include among others; local newspapers, magazines, government gazettes, hazards, special reports, documentaries and archives. Speaking on behalf the Mpharane Community, the Principal Chief of PontŠeng, Mrs ‘Mamohale Mohale expressed her deepest appreciations on behalf the community for the donated books, saying the opening of the library in the Mpharane area is the greatest development for the coming generations. She encouraged the community to adopt the culture of reading as that will assist them to acquire knowledge and skills. Principal Chief Mohale appealed to the community of Mpharane to always protect their library facility, which is the first of its kind the district. Addressing the community during the launching ceremony, the President of the Rotary Club of Maloti Mrs Yande Mothae encouraged the community of Mpharane to use the library wisely in order to better themselves, she said the children, the elderly, the young, the youth and all of them were accommodated for in the library. Mrs Mothae also said the theme of September is basic education and literacy while the Rotary theme for this year is “Rotary opens Opportunities”. She said they are opening the opportunities through that community library. She also said the reading and learning that will be made in that community library will be all in a bit to open opportunities for the community. She also passed her special thanks to Mr. Mothae Moletsane for facilitating the opening of the library and further urged the community to take care of the library even for future generations. She acknowledged the partners in Australia, Books for Lesotho who donated the books which were donated to Mpharane and will also be donated to other schools. The Chairperson of Thaba-Mokhele Community Council in Mpharane, Mr Mahlatsi Makakole said the community library in the area will shed light to the entire community and opens more opportunities. She encouraged everyone to use the library prudently. Speaking at the same occasion, one of the teacher who is also a beneficiary of Books for Lesotho project in schools through Transformation Resource Centre, Mr Lelingoana Moroke, Headmaster at Mt Carmel High School said the donated books from B4L assisted their learners to perform better and excel in their final examinations in the past five years. “The books played a pivotal role in our school. Our school used to be at the bottom amongst all schools in the district, but after we received books from “Books for Lesotho”, we managed to snatch highest position ranging from position 2, and this year we were expecting position 1 if it was not because of inconvenience caused by Covid-19 Speaking at the same launch, the District Governor for Rotary Club of Maloti, Ms Maud Boikanyo explained that rotary is an organization where volunteers give back to the community. She said since its establishment in Lesotho, Rotary has done many projects for the communities throughout the country. She further explained that in Lesotho their focus is on water and sanitation, economic and community development, maternal and child health, supporting the environment, basic education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment and peace and prevention/resolution. The District Governor therefore urged the Mpharane community to take care of the library and treasure this donation. In the Rotary, the month of September is the Basic Education and Literacy month, therefore the launch of the Mpharane Community Library came at the opportune time when Rotarians all over the world are promoting basic education and literacy because Rotarians strongly believe that a happy educated child creates a wiser happy world to live in. In the same event, the Ministry of Education District Resource Teacher, Mrs Kekeletso Kotelo said
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Mpharane community library is the first of its kind in the district, and she encouraged the community and youth to use the library to improve their lives and results at schools. Mrs Kotelo said that her Ministry is proud of the launch of the library in the Mpharane area as that will assist learners to perform well in their results despite difficult time of COVID – 19. The Founder and Manager of Mpharane Community Library, Mr Mothae Moletsane expressed his gratitude and heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Books for Lesotho and Rotary Club of Maloti for making sure that the books get to the library in good order. He said they have hope that the library will bring a bright future to the community of Mpharane and encouraged his community members to use the library accordingly. Mr Moletsane also encouraged the community and learners from different schools in the area to form reading clubs so as to motivate each other and develop more reading skills and culture. The launch of the library was also supported by Lesotho Bakery through Blue Ribbon Company with Bread and also as a contribution on food crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic.
CHALLENGES Some of the challenges facing Mpharane Community Library are, but not limited to; firstly, lack of desktop computer to store and record books and all reading materials on the database; secondly, lack of electricity connection in the area and solar energy system; thirdly, the stipend to give to Librarian volunteer on monthly basis and refresher trainings for volunteer to be familiar on how to reference and use softwares that can record books in the library. Mr Mothae Moletsane
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Report received on 28/09/2020
Report from Rotary Club of Maloti on the books donated in 2020.
The books arrived on the 31st August . there were 60 boxes.
Five boxes were distributed to Mpharane community Library. On the 11th September MRC
distributed 5 boxes given to the Mpharane
16th September 6 boxes for each school were distributed to the following schools:
• St Angela school of the handicapped
• Lithabaneng high school
• Metholist High school
• Life high school received 7
22nd September
• The juvenile correction school received 6 boxes. This is a school for young people who have committed crime who are under correctional services and are being rehabiliated
23rd September
The following schools received 5 boxes each:
• ‘Malithuso high school
• St Steven’s high school
• Semonkong high school
• Silioe high school
• Ant pre-school received 4 boxes
The Rotary Club of Maluti is very proud and happy with the partnership and wants to thank Books for Lesotho on behalf of the recipients.
Yours In Rotary, Immediate Past President
Mrs Teboho Lesei