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BUILDING GOVERNANCE CAPACITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
AGAINST HIV/AIDS IN LESOTHO
Lesotho-Washington, November 25, 2005: On the eve of
Dr. Peg Herbert’s departure to Lesotho to oversee
implementation of the Youth Against HIV/AIDS project on
Building Governance Capacity and Community Engagement, Her
Excellency Ambassador Molelekeng E. Rapolaki, who is also
Lesotho’s High Commissioner to Canada met in Ottawa, Canada
on Monday, November 21, 2005.
Dr. Herbert is the Youth Against HIV/AIDS (YAH) Canadian
Project Coordinator and also the Executive Director of Help
Lesotho project, a Canadian educational initiative
partnering public, private and volunteer resources to
address the effects of poverty and HIV/AIDS in Lesotho.
The Youth Against HIV/AIDS is a two and a half (2 ˝) year
project, fully funded, to the tune of $ 554,326 (Canadian
Dollar) by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
[1]The
Institute On Governance will administer the project.
During her discussion with H.E. Ambassador Rapolaki, Dr.
Herbert said, “So many Canadians are now learning of the
good hearts and generous souls of the Basotho, and of their
painful challenges. By putting aside our individual
differences and personal inspiration, we can generate new
ways of fighting HIV/AIDS and bringing all the partners to
the table. Help Lesotho and Youth Against HIV/AIDS are
working together with schools, civil society organizations
and various levels of government to build trust and
effectiveness to support Basotho initiatives. It is our
privilege to make new friends and be a part of this
struggle… it will take us all hand-in-hand to make the
degree of difference required. We are here to help Lesotho”.
In response, Her Excellency Ambassador Rapolaki commended
and applauded the Canadian Government and Civil society,
particularly Dr. Herbert for joining hands in support of the
fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Lesotho. She also
commended the Institute on Governance for their support
particularly on Building Governance Capacity and Community
Engagement, noting that the initiative would not have come
at the right time as the country held its first Local
Government election earlier this year.
The Ambassador further assured Dr. Herbert of a highly
motivated Basotho Youth and communities, who are prepared to
partner with whoever is interested in their wellbeing. She
expressed hope that the project will be an effective
strategy to empower the youths and enhance their current
engagement in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and most
importantly equip them with requisite governance skills for
their full participation in the overall long –term
development of Lesotho.
YAH Canadian Project Coordinator is expected to meet Mr.
Keketso Sefeane, Chief Executive Officer of National AIDS
Commission, and pay courtesy-call on the Honourable
Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Gender and Home Affairs.
Further, the National AIDS Commission, in collaboration with
YAH plans to host the First Steering Committee meeting on
December 15, 2005, wherein members of the Committee will be
elected. This will consist of senior representatives from
the Ministries of Gender Youth and Sports, Home Affairs and
Public Safety, and Education and Training, Health and Social
Welfare, Youths, NGOs and Civil Society.
Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho
Washington, DC
November 25, 2005
[1]
Canadian based
non-profit organization which explores, shares, and promotes
the concept of good governance in Canada and abroad, and
helps governments, the voluntary sector, communities and the
private sector put it into practice for the well-being of
citizens and society.
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