VZCZCXRO6938
PP RUEHMR
DE RUEHMR #0053/01 0310602
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 310602Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1845
INFO RUEHOR/AMEMBASSY GABORONE 0204
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2097

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MASERU 000053 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/EPS - MARGARET DECQUIR; GABORONE FOR USAID/RCSA 
PASS TO USAID/AFR/DP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON LT
SUBJECT: FY 2006 CALL FOR AMBASSADOR'S SPECIAL HELP PROGRAM FUNDING 
REQUESTS 
 
REF: STATE 001255 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  POST'S LONG-TERM GOALS IN LESOTHO PER THE FY 2006 
MISSION PERFORMANCE PLAN REMAIN UNCHANGED AND ARE IN THE 
FOLLOWING AREAS:  DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS, ECONOMIC GROWTH 
AND DEVELOPMENT, AND GLOBAL HEALTH.  POST STRIVES TO LINK SSH 
REQUIREMENTS TO ABOVE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.  SELF-HELP FUNDING 
STILL REMAINS IMPORTANT TO POST AND THE HOST COUNTRY.  VARIOUS 
SSH ACTIVITIES FALL UNDER THE TWO LATTER CATEGORIES, VIZ, 
ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF GRASSROOTS 
COMMUNITIES AND BROAD SUPPORT TO THE HIV INFECTED AS WELL AS 
ORPHANED AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN (OVCS).  AS OVERALL SUB-SAHARA 
REGIONAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE KEEPS DETERIORATING, LESOTHO'S IS NO 
EXCEPTION AND HIV/AIDS CONTINUES TO POSE A VERY GRAVE THREAT TO 
BASOTHO LIVELIHOODS.  UNEMPLOYMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 45 PCT IS 
STILL RIFE AND SHOWS NO SIGN OF DWINDLING.  SSH FUNDS ARE 
EXTREMELY USEFUL IN SUPPORTING POST'S EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE 
PROGRESS TOWARDS THESE GOALS DUE TO THEIR FLEXIBILITY THOUGH 
POST IS FULLY AWARE THAT THEY WOULD NEVER BE A "QUICK FIX" TO 
EXISTING PROBLEMS, END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT POST REQUESTS FY 2006 FUNDS IN 
THE AMOUNT OF USD 150,000 FOR SSH ACTIVITIES IN LESOTHO.  THE 
FOLLOWING ARE SSH PROJECT PROPOSALS THUS FAR REVIEWED AND 
DETERMINED WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION BY POST.  POST STILL EXPECTS 
SEVERAL SUBMISSIONS BEFORE THE END OF MAY THIS YEAR AS IS THE 
NORM HERE. 
 
¶3. PROJECT SUMMARIES OF PROSPECTS IN FY 2006 FOLLOW: 
 
YOUTH FOR CHRIST LESOTHO - A MULTI-RACIAL, INTERDENOMINATIONAL 
CHRISTIAN YOUTH ORGANIZATION WHOSE MAIN AIM IS TO DEVELOP YOUTH 
BY ENGAGING THEM IN PROGRAMS THAT MAKE THEM REALIZE THE 
IMPORTANCE OF CHANGING LIFESTYLES FOR THE BETTER.  THE YOUTH 
CENTER IS AIMED AT GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND KHUBETSOANA AREA A 
PLACE WHERE THEY CAN DO THEIR HOME WORK AND READ BOOKS WHEN THEY 
ARE NOT IN  SCHOOL. GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FINANCE 
BOOKSHELVES, PARTITIONING OF A HALL IN ORDER TO CREATE LIBRARY 
SPACE, AND WATER TANKS.  ORGANIZATION SEEKS USD10,000. 
 
RE MMOHO KATLEHISONG EA LESOTHO - AN ALREADY ACTIVE SEWING AND 
KNITTING CLUB OF (CURRENTLY) TWELVE WOMEN WHO SEEK TO EXPAND 
THEIR SERVICES AND BUY NEW MACHINES AND ACCESSORIES AS WELL AS 
OTHER BASIC REQUIREMENTS.  AMOUNT SOUGHT IS USD4,000. 
 
SEITHATI WEAVERS - A FOURTEEN MEMBER STRONG COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN 
WEAVERS WHO PRODUCE QUALITY TAPESTRIES, RUGS, SCARVES AND SHAWLS 
OF LOCALLY PURCHASED, 100% MOHAIR. THE GRANT MONEY WILL BE USED 
TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A WEBSITE FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETING. 
THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS USD500. 
 
THABA TSEKA ORPHANAGE OF HOPE - A CENTER THAT IS INTENDED TO 
PROVIDE  SHELTER FOR ORPHANED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN IN SETIBING 
ALONG THE MOUNTAINOUS ROAD TO MOHALE DAM.  THE SHELTER WILL BE 
THE FIRST OF THE KIND IN THE AREA.  GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO 
REFURBISH SLEEPING ROOMS, KITCHEN, A COMMON ROOM AND RECEPTION 
AREA, AND TO PURCHASE REQUIRED FURNITURE.  THE ORGANIZATION 
SEEKS USD8,000. 
 
ABIA HIGH SCHOOL - THIS IS A FIFTEEN CLASSROOM SCHOOL WITH AN 
ENROLLMENT OF 630 STUDENTS.  THE FURNITURE CURRENTLY AT THE 
SCHOOL IS VERY OLD AND MUCH OF IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. 
SCHOOL'S REQUEST IS SUPPORT FOR AT LEAST 150 DESKS FOR FOUR 
CLASSROOMS.  GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD8,500 WILL BE USED TO 
PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE DESKS. THE FURNITURE WILL BE 
BUILT BY A LOCAL MANUFACTURER. 
 
GETHSEMANY PRIMARY SCHOOL - THE COMMUNITY AROUND THIS SCHOOL HAS 
CONSTRUCTED FOUR ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS TO ACCOMMODATE AN 
INCREASING NUMBER OF STUDENTS DUE TO FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION. 
THEY NEED ROOFING MATERIALS, WINDOWPANES AND DOORS TO COMPLETE 
THE STRUCTURE.  THEY SEEK USD3,500.  (IN LESOTHO, PRIMARY 
EDUCATION IS FREE IN THE SENSE THAT NO SCHOOL FEES ARE CHARGED, 
BUT COMMUNITIES ARE OFTEN IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO PROVIDE 
SCHOOL BUILDINGS). 
 
BEREA HORTICULTURAL FARMERS' ASSOCIATION - A HORTICULTURAL 
PROJECT THAT PRODUCES FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FOR SALE AND 
CONSUMPTION BY ITS 4,000 BENEFICIARIES.  THEY REQUEST SUPPORT TO 
PURCHASE IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT AMOUNTING TO USD6,000. 
 
THUSANANG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - AN ASSOCIATION OF 45 
MEMBERS WHO HAVE EMBARKED ON A BROILER AND LAYER PROJECT.  THEY 
SEEK GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD5,500 TO PURCHASE FEED FOR THE 
BIRDS. 
 
MAMOHAU HOSPITAL - A CHURCH HOSPITAL SITUATED IN THE MOUNTAINOUS 
INTERIOR OF LESOTHO IN THE KATSE DAM AREA. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES 
SERVICES TO A COMMUNITY SEVERELY AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS.  THE 
HOSPITAL PLANS TO EXTEND AND EXPAND VCT SERVICES AND NEEDS TWO 
 
MASERU 00000053  002 OF 003 
 
 
COUNSELING ROOMS TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY AND PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL 
TREATMENT.  GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE BUILDING 
MATERIALS TO CONSTRUCT THE  ROOMS. THEY ARE SEEKING USD8,000. 
 
MATSOKU COOP/CREDIT UNION - A GROUP OF 42 MEN AND WOMEN ENGAGING 
IN VARIOUS INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES, E.G., WEAVING, SEWING, 
BROILERS, AND LAYERS.  GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD8,500 ARE 
SOUGHT TO PURCHASE WEAVING AND SEWING MACHINES, BROILERS AND 
LAYERS FOR THE COOPERATIVE. 
 
PITSENG HIGH SCHOOL - SCHOOL HAS CONSTRUCTED WALLS AND ROOFING 
FOR A LIBRARY SERVING 466 STUDENTS WHO LIVE ON THE GROUNDS OF 
THE SCHOOL CAMPUS.  THEY ARE SEEKING USD5,000 TO COMPLETE THE 
LIBRARY BUILDING BY PUTTING IN A CEILING AND ADDING WIRING AND 
LIGHTING. 
 
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH DAY CARE CENTER - THE PROJECT'S PURPOSE IS 
TO CARE FOR THE DESTITUTE AND THOSE ORPHANED BY HIV/AIDS IN THE 
MOUNTAINOUS DISTRICT OF MOKHOTLONG.  GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO 
BUILD CLASSES, TOILETS, SPACE FOR SLEEPING, AN OFFICE, 
STOREROOM, KITCHEN AND PANTRY.  THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS USD10,000. 
 
LERATO HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP - THIS GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TAKES 
CARE OF A NUMBER OF HIV/AIDS INFECTED AND AFFECTED FAMILIES IN 
THEIR COMMUNITY.  THEY WANT TO START A SEWING PROJECT THROUGH 
WHICH THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GENERATE INCOME TO ASSIST WITH OVCS' 
SUPPORT IN SCHOOL.  THE GROUP SEEKS USD8,400. 
 
CHOOKO PRIMARY SCHOOL - THIS SCHOOL IS SITUATED IN ONE OF THE 
MOST REMOTE AND MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS OF LESOTHO AND HAS AN 
ENROLMENT OF 374 STUDENTS, MOST OF WHOM DO NOT HAVE DESKS. MANY 
STUDENTS AT THIS SCHOOL SIT ON ROCKS IN THE CLASSROOM. SCHOOL 
REQUESTS FUNDING TO PURCHASE AT LEAST 50 DOUBLE DESKS AT A COST 
OF USD4,500. 
 
SOAI PRIMARY SCHOOL - THIS SCHOOL IS IN A REMOTE AND MOUNTAINOUS 
AREA OF LESOTHO AND HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 780 STUDENTS.  THE 
SCHOOL ALSO REACHES OUT TO OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH THROUGH AN 
AFTER-SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP THAT FOCUSES ON LIFE SKILLS AND 
HIV/AIDS PREVENTION.  THE SCHOOL SEEKS FUNDING TO CONSTRUCT A 
LIBRARY WHICH WILL BE USED BY BOTH THE STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY 
MEMBERS.  AN HIV/AIDS CORNER WILL BE SET UP IN THE LIBRARY. 
GRANT FUNDS SOUGHT AMOUNT TO USD2,500. 
 
GOOD SHEPHERD PRIMARY - AMONG ITS STUDENTS ARE ORPHANS AND OTHER 
OVCS, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN AND THOSE WITH 
LEARNING DISABILITIES.  THE SCHOOL WANTS TO START A VEGETABLE 
GARDEN WHERE ALL STUDENTS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SKILLS IN 
SELF-RELIANCE AND FOOD SECURITY.  BUSINESS SKILLS WILL ALSO BE 
TAUGHT, AS TEACHERS WILL GUIDE THEM IN HOW TO RUN THEIR GARDEN 
AS A BUSINESS.  THE PROJECT WILL COMPLEMENT THE HOME ECONOMICS, 
PIGGERY, POULTRY AND FORESTRY PROJECTS ALREADY IN PLACE AT THE 
SCHOOL.  GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD1,500  WILL BE USED TO 
PURCHASE GARDEN TOOLS, A SECURITY FENCE AND SEEDS WITH WHICH TO 
START THE GARDEN. 
 
RANKAKALA HIGH SCHOOL - THIS SCHOOL IS IN A VERY REMOTE AREA OF 
LESOTHO.  MOST OF THE STUDENTS COME GREAT DISTANCES ON FOOT TO 
ATTEND THE SCHOOL.  IN ORDER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL, THE 
SCHOOL WISHES TO CONSTRUCT A DORMITORY FOR GIRL STUDENTS. GRANT 
FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD8,000 ARE BEING SOUGHT TO PURCHASE 
BUILDING MATERIALS AND TO PAY A CONTRACTOR. 
 
TSEKA PRIMARY SCHOOL - THE SCHOOL MAINTAINS A VEGETABLE GARDEN 
 
SIPDIS 
AND PIGGERY IN SUPPORT OF ITS SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM.  HOWEVER, 
IT DOES NOT HAVE FENCING AROUND ITS PREMISES AND ANIMALS FROM 
AROUND THE VILLAGE DESTROY THEIR VEGETABLE PATCH.  THEY SEEK 
USD6,000 TO PURCHASE FENCING MATERIALS. 
 
KHUBELU COMMUNITY SANITATION PROJECT - THE PROJECT PURPOSE IS TO 
PROVIDE VENTILATED PIT LATRINES (VIPS) FOR THE KHUBELU 
COMMUNITY.  HYGIENE WILL GREATLY BE IMPROVED FOR EVERY FAMILY TO 
HAVE ITS OWN LATRINE AND THE COST OF THE HOUSES WILL ALSO BE 
REDUCED AS OWNERS WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE 
TOILETS.  CURRENTLY A LARGE PERCENT OF THESE LOW-INCOME 
HOMEOWNERS IS OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF CLOSURE OF SOME FACTORIES 
IN THE LAST YEAR.  FOR THIS, THE COMMUNITY REQUESTS GRANT FUNDS 
TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR CONSTRUCTION AMOUNTING TO 
USD10,000. 
 
¶4. POST REITERATES THE NEED FOR MORE FUNDING FOR LESOTHO PER OUR 
MPP GOALS.  GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER OF VIABLE PROJECTS USD125,000 
SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM AMOUNT FOR THIS COUNTRY.  PROGRAM HAS BEEN 
CRITICAL TO THE USG'S OVERALL ABILITY TO ADDRESS HIV/AIDS AND 
ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN (ESTIMATED AT 100-200,000). 
POST IS ALSO EXPECTING MORE APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION UNDER 
SSH FUNDING BETWEEN THE PRESENT AND MAY 2006.  THE SSH PROGRAM 
REMAINS INSTRUMENTAL IN ASSISTING LARGE COMMUNITIES IN THE RURAL 
AREAS OF LESOTHO WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BUT WITH 
 
MASERU 00000053  003 OF 003 
 
 
MEASURABLE IMPACT. 
PERRY