Makhunoane Project, Lesotho

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, many families were struggling to earn a living. Frequent droughts caused crop failures, schools were overcrowded, and there was a lack of awareness on how to prevent HIV.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the Makhunoane community have improved access to education, clean water, healthcare and nutritious food.

Together we've achieved so much

The rate of children completing basic education reached 96 percent in 2015

This is up from 80 percent in 2011.

  • Two classroom blocks were built in one school to reduce overcrowding, and learning materials were provided in 14 schools.
  • The quality of education improved following the training of 126 teachers and 12 education officers.
  • 2,155 students gained access to hygienic toilets in 10 primary schools, which will help to reduce the spread of disease and lower the rate of students missing school due to illness.

Two health centres were re-opened

This helped to make healthcare accessible to people who previously had to travel 50km to the nearest clinic.

  • The child immunisation rate was 92 percent in 2015 compared to 68 percent in 2009.
  • Access to clean water improved in 26 villages, reducing the risk of waterborne disease for over 500 households.
  • 7,144 people learned about HIV and AIDS and how to prevent its transmission, and 561 people accessed HIV testing and counselling.

Year-round access to food improved for 2,300 children

This followed an agriculture program that trained families how to grow vegetables at home.

  • 460 farmers gained seeds and learned how to grow drought-resistant crops, while 80 farmers gained access to new equipment and crop varieties to increase their incomes.
  • 2,600 children and their families received tree seedlings to counter deforestation and provide families with a source of firewood. 
  • 15 savings groups helped families increase their incomes, with each group collectively saving between $800 and $1,500 in 2016.

"Today we no longer have to talk to parents about the importance of sending children to school, as everyone knows that is the right of every child."

- Tsietsi, Makhunoane area chief