AUTUMN 2020

Newsletter 7

Lumelang! Which means…Hello! For reasons that surely made sense to the missionaries in the 19th century who first developed the written version of Sesotho, the language of sometimes pronounces ‘l’ as ‘d’ meaning Lumelang actually sounds like Dumelang! More to the point, we hope that you and everyone you care about have managed to stay healthy and strong through the global pandemic. During this time, we have been working (in our small way) to support the Paballong Centre in Lesotho that continues to help people and communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

In a sad parody of Grace Mugabe’s destructive News from Lesotho influence in Zimbabwe a couple of years ago, ‘Maesiah Thabane, the third wife of Lesotho Prime We wrote in our last newsletter that Lesotho was Minister Tom Thabane, attracted increasing criticism being poorly served by its politicians. Unfortunately, for her apparent domination of her octogenarian for a while things got increasingly worse, although husband. In a story worthy of a tabloid newpaper, there is hope of improvement now. ‘Maesiah was then arrested on suspicion of masterminding the fatal shooting of Thabane’s

estranged second wife back in June 2017. The police then announced that the Prime Minister was also a suspect in the shooting which occurred just before his second Prime Ministerial inauguration. Although Thabane is yet to be formally charged, ‘Maesiah was brought to court, granted bail of just £52 and promptly fled to . Eventually she returned and was brought back to court following an appeal against her bail. At the time of writing, she is in custody, awaiting trial.

Image via: @povonewstv Twitter News from Lesotho (cont) During this time the country’s notorious party-political intrigue and infighting intensified. Fewer and fewer people were able to keep track of the constant turmoil of allegiances and betrayals. Eventually, following an amendment to the constitution, it became possible for Thabane to be voted out of power and replaced by a much younger man, . Majoro, who has served as Minister of Finance, is well known for plain speaking and getting things done – as far as that is possible in the labyrinthine and sluggish government system of Lesotho. He is an economist who has lectured at the National University and spent four years with the International Monetary Fund. Many hope that he will achieve more direct, effective and transparent government for the country, although the sprawling cabinet that he formed did not inspire widespread enthusiasm. What’s happening at Paballong? COVID-19 News So far, Lesotho has experienced the COVID-19 pandemic differently from The Paballong (‘Place of Care’) Centre continues its most countries. Lesotho was the last country in Africa work on the impact of HIV and AIDS on the to report any cases and still has one of the lowest communities of the Berea Plateau and beyond. While number of identified cases. However, as in much of people in southern Africa are rightly concerned about Africa, a shortage of testing facilities mean that COVID- COVID-19 and the death and havoc it is causing, HIV 19 has probably spread much further than the data and AIDS remain a major threat to health and show. A lockdown and associated measures were livelihoods. If antiretroviral medication is available, instituted in Lesotho, with only limited effect. However, AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was, but the closing of the border by South Africa caused major its impacts remain real and widespread. The services economic problems for the kingdom as imports and that Paballong provides remain as vital as ever. Unlike exports were constrained, school and university student the testing and medication services provided by crossings were halted and the many people who run government health facilities, Paballong takes a holistic businesses in but live across the border were approach that reaches out to the families of HIV- prevented from coming to work. The effect of this has positive people and to the communities in which they also sadly been felt heavily by those live. The tight web of social and economic linkages with HIV and AIDS. With between Lesotho and neighbouring South Africa South Africa currently means that a number of Paballong clients actually suffering one of the work and live across the border, coming back world’s gravest COVID- periodically to collect medication and receive 19 crises, it does not other support. The closure of the border has bode well for the little had a serious impact on them. country it encircles. The strategic review of Paballong that Map Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Africa our UK Trust supported in 2017 had far- as of 22 July 2020 reaching consequences, including a restructuring of the team at the Centre and the appointment of a number of new staff. Work to streamline the 100,000 + cases 100 - 999 cases organisational structure has 10,000 - 99,999 cases 10 - 99 cases continued….

1,000 - 9999 cases What’s happening at Paballong (cont) More importantly, the Centre has continued its services to the community, including social outreach and support for orphans and vulnerable children through the Day Care Centre – which Paballong UK has continued to assist. Like every other institution, Paballong has had to adapt to the COVID -19 pandemic in line with the regulations imposed by government. This has meant closing the Day Care Centre. But winter shows that the centre received 5,032 visits, two thirds clothes were still provided of which were by female clients. 88% of all visits were to the children, and by HIV-positive patients, many receiving long-term monthly food parcels have been supplied to the antiretroviral therapy to prevent the onset of AIDS. households from which they come. The Day Care The Centre provided this medication to 3,921 clients in Centre will reopen as soon as permitted by the 2019. Only 114 new HIV tests were carried out, and of government. The Youth Centre also had to be closed, those 12% were positive. The Centre also provides but was later opened for a few hours a day to provide treatment for the opportunistic diseases that clients study space for high school students preparing for may suffer; there were 800 such treatments in 2019 examinations. Paballong continues to offer its core and it assisted 574 clients with family planning. The medical services via the free clinic, with appropriate Centre also provided a free, nutritious lunch to 3,701 distancing and other protective measures for staff and clients during their visits, The Day Care Centre had 39 clients. Agricultural activities on the farm are ongoing little pupils in 2019, and was the hub from which and productive and continue to produce food for the various social welfare services were undertaken, free lunch programme and for sale. including the provision of advisory support and housing to some of the most vulnerable families from Looking back on last year, Paballong’s 2019 report which these children come.

Christmas is on its way!

It may seem early to start to think of it, but we will shortly be launching our Christmas campaign. This will raise money for the annual Christmas party and Christmas presents for the children at the daycare centre. At this time more than ever the children need something to look forward to. Keep an eye open for more information . most vulnerable. If you are interested in sponsoring The latest from one, or raising funds to support this project, please do get into touch. Paballong UK

Since our last newsletter we have remained in close contact with Paballong and in October 2019 our Chair, Stephen Turner, was able to make a short visit whilst working in the region.

Back in 2014, Paballong UK funded the construction of rudimentary corrugated iron houses for four families. These families were considered especially vulnerable and at the time were living in houses of either completely unacceptable quality or at risk of collapse. The metal houses were much appreciated and have been well used and cared for by their occupants. However, having visited the houses it was felt that the time had come to replace them with equally small and simple homes of bricks and mortar. These will be cooler in summer and warmer in winter (Lesotho has had some bitter weather and snowfalls this year). So far, three of the houses have been built with funds from Paballong UK, promising solid, long-term accommodation for these desperately poor families. Each has a separate latrine providing essential basic sanitation. These houses act as a fitting tribute to our much-loved trustee Robin Richards, and his son helped in raising funds in order to build As ever, on behalf of Paballong and the people it them. As we told serves, we in the UK are deeply grateful to all who you in our last support this important work in Lesotho. To borrow a newsletter, Sesotho phrase from the Centre’s 2019 report; ‘ha e Robin died in 2019. One of his particular concerns as a sise!’ This refers literally to the desire for a cow to Paballong UK trustee was the provision of adequate give abundant milk – or, in our case, the hope that housing for the AIDS-affected families who need it your generosity continues! most (more information on the houses here. We are hoping to continue funding housing for those

Paballong UK Trust, 17 Lyntonvale Avenue, Gatley, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 4DF, Website: www.paballong.org.uk; Email: [email protected]; Registered Charity No. 1143940