Flying cash to the most inaccessible and vulnerable children

Lesotho launches payment under Child Grants Programme for orphans and other vulnerable children in one of the most remote areas of the country

Lesotho 20 October 2009 – The people of Thaba Khubelu, one of the most remote areas of Lesotho, hardly see any assistance coming their way. This is because their village, nestled in the rolling mountains of the district of Qacha’s Nek (400 Km from the capital Maseru), is only accessible by air, horse or foot. This time support came from an unexpected place – the sky.

Two hundred and fifty households waited anxiously as helicopters and planes flew in from the skies with their share of cash. The cash assistance is part of the Government of Lesotho, European Union (EU) and UNICEF supported initiative called The Lesotho Child Grants programme. It aims to supplement the income of the poorest of the poor households caring for orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) with a quarterly cash input of Maloti 360 (about US$ 48) to invest in children’s nutrition, health, education, protection and development.

With over half of its population living below the poverty line, the third highest HIV prevalence rate in the world and a state of chronic food insecurity, now compounded by the effects of the global economic crisis, the people of Lesotho are being pushed to the brink.

Mr. Ahmed Magan, UNICEF Representative in Lesotho, highlighted the key areas required to achieve a successful child centered social protection programme. “Delivery of an integrated package of family-centered services; strengthening social welfare systems, including human resource capacity; high-quality data and information to ensure the most needy families and children are reached; and enacting and implementing critical child protection legislation and policies, are of the utmost importance to create a safety net that’s strong enough to support families in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty” he said.

The Child Grants Programme is part of a larger package of integrated social protection services through which the Government is paving the way to an effective and holistic protection system for the most disadvantage and vulnerable children in Lesotho.

Through financial support from the EU, providing 12 Million Euros through UNICEF, for the Government’s broader social protection programme for OVC, the grant is gradually being complemented by other services such as food assistance, through WFP, and psychosocial support for families and children affected by HIV. “May the adults of the Lesotho nation have the energy, desire and will to support this programme, care for their OVC and change their behaviour to avoid creating more orphans” said Mr. Peter Christiansen, Head of Delegation and Ambassador of the EU to Lesotho.

A vocal appeal was reiterated by both the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Mphu Ramatlapeng, and the Minister of Public Service and Member of Parliament Mr. Semano Sekatle. They cautioned against corruption practices and dependency “the grant is meant to benefit the most vulnerable and disadvantaged not anyone else. Through the grant, the government is aiming to reach about 60,000 children and ensure they attend school, they access services and receive counseling and nutrition support,” said Dr. Ramatlapeng.

Mamello is a 16 years old girl, living with and taking care of her two younger brothers, both her parents have died. “They were very sick and it was painful to see them suffer. I had to stay out of school for some time” recounts Mamello as she recalls the anguish of watching her parents die. Visibly excited about the money she is about to receive, Mamello thinks “it is a gift from the sky, now I can buy clothes for myself and my brothers so we will look like all the other children when we go to school. I am so happy to get this money, we need it so much. I hope it will not stop here” she says.

For thousands of children like Mamello, the Lesotho Child Grants programme is a clear demonstration that the Government and its partners care about the children of Lesotho. During the launch in Thaba Qhubelu, a collective call was also echoed for parliament to enact the Child Protection and Welfare Bill (2004), as the central piece of legislation required to realise children’s rights in Lesotho.

To date the Child Grants Programme has been launched in two districts; in Mathula community council (Mafeteng district), currently receiving its third quarterly disbursement; and in Thaba Qhubelu community council (Qacha’s Nek district). The next payment is expected to be launched in Semonkong community council (Maseru district) at the end of October 2009. Over 750 households and 2,000 OVC are currently benefiting from the grant. Long terms plans include the expansion to other districts [starting 2011] and the Government progressively absorbing the programme into its national budget.

ENDS