A Joining Hands Against Hunger Network

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Office Telephone:
        (+266) 2232 5630

Physical Address:
Christian Council of Lesotho Building 160
Constitution Rd Maseru West

Postal Address:
Private Bag A34
Maseru 100
Lesotho

THE KOPANO KE MATLA TOANTS’ONG
EA BOFUMA LESOTHO
2005 Fourth Quarter Report

Network Background:

Through the inspiration given by the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Lesotho’s local churches, non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations have established the country Network which shall encourage and promote genuine dialogue within the member organisations and communities they serve, so that people can work together in analysing the root causes of poverty and identifying their common problems, and devising strategies to address them collectively.

The Joining Hands Against Hunger Network in Lesotho was established in June 2002 following a conference of some 18 organisations meeting in Mazenod, followed by a network formation meeting held in Maseru at the Lesotho Evangelical Church.

The Network is registered as Kopano Ke Matla Toantšong ea Bofuma Lesotho (Network), a non-governmental organisation under the Society Act of 1966.

Vision:

To work towards the transformation of Lesotho into a nation where people have access to their fundamental human needs.

Mission

To have a programme of action which is aimed at sensitising people through organisations about the challenges of poverty, ascertaining root causes of poverty, examining the allocation of resources in Lesotho and participating in poverty reduction initiatives.

Aims and Objectives:

The aims and objectives of the Network are:
• To act and serve as a link in building a partnership among the civil society movement.
• To facilitate and empower member organisations.
• To empower member organisations to advocate for human rights in the context of social justice.
• To promote the concept of social inclusion in policymaking as regards to poverty eradication and/or alleviation.

Fourth Quarter Activities:

 Trainings on Food Security
 Annual General Meeting

Output:

The office held trainings in the second of the mountainous districts, Qacha`snek, on existing government food security policies on 4th October 2005 at the Ministry of Education’s hall in Qacha`s nek. About forty representatives from organizations making up Qacha`s nek network attended this training.

The Network held its Annual General Meeting from the 10 to 11 December 2005 with representation from all the Districts except Mohale’s hoek. The new Executive Committee was elected and the members of this Committee are as follows:

Position Name District

Chairperson Mr Maile Maile Mafeteng
Deputy Chairperson Mr Letsema Adontsi Mokhotlong
Treasurerer Mr Bokang Ramatsella Berea
Member* Mrs Makhotso Mabaso Leribe
Member* Mrs Maseephephe Matete Maseru
Member Mrs Matholang Mosisili Qacha’s nek
Member* Mr Phineas Tele Quthing

* New members

Problems:

The training was held in only two districts due to financial constraints. In Qacha`s nek, where the second training was held, there was a misunderstanding between the District Administrator’s office and the Network trainer, the DA`s office believing that there had been some allegations made at that training by the trainer about the Government of Lesotho. After responding to the allegations in writing, no further word has been received by the Network office.

Conclusion

All in all the quarter has been a success since everything planned has been achieved on time even though activities were few due to financial constraints.

Prepared 17 Jan 2006

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