Contacts

• Funding Proposal to Geneva Global Accepted
• Executive Committee and Network Staff Retreat for Orientation
• Christian Perspective of Development
• Separation of Powers between Exec. & Mngnt
• Government Food Security Policies
• AGM Resolutions
• AGM Elects New Executive Committee
• News Archives

Funding Proposal to Geneva Global Accepted (January 2006)

Good news awaited the office on its return from the Christmas break when an email from Geneva Global was received noting that the proposal submitted to them last year was accepted and that the funds had been forwarded to the JHAH account. 

The grant allows the Network to step up our hunger and poverty reduction efforts through the education and training of leaders and communities throughout the country on alternative farming methods.  The plan is designed to meet specific goals within 18 months of initiation.  Those goals are:

1.         1950 people (150 trained leaders with an average of 13 people per clan group) to be mobilized through awareness and education efforts to curb hunger and poverty by newly trained community leaders.  Trained on good farming methods, effective results to be demonstrated by their ability to participate in hunger and poverty reduction efforts as advocates for pro-poor initiatives, such as the community gardens initiative.

2.         The 1950 people trained are to impact 5400 people (1080 households with 5 people per household) who will benefit from improved farming methods in their community demonstration gardens, increasing their farm yields,  enabling them to produce a surplus harvest, providing at least one meal a day for their households and contributing back seeds or produce to the community garden.

3.         540 civic and community leaders to participate in a Biblical discipleship training on caring for the poor.  Results to be reflected in the formulation of national policies on poverty and hunger and the demonstration of ownership of poverty reduction strategies through the application and promotion of anti-hunger initiatives within their own work places.

Plans are being put in place to incorporate ongoing JHAH activities with the Geneva Global project.  Ongoing training of members in our 10 districts on the government food security policies and how to work with and through our new local government structures (Councilors) to achieve intended results will be strengthened by the Geneva Global project, which begins with the introduction of JHAH to the local government structures and working to unite our efforts in the betterment of their communities.

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Executive Committee and Network Staff Retreat for Orientation

The newly elected Executive Committee for 2006, which includes four returning members and three new members, gathered with the two Network national office staff and the Companionship Facilitator at a quiet retreat center just across the border in South Africa for two days of training and an Executive Committee meeting the final morning. 

The program began with sharing by Cindy Easterday, the Companion Facilitator, on the history of the JHAH program and its development from a pilot program in 2000 to a growing, dynamic movement that now includes 9 countries around the world and their respective presbyteries in the United States.  The recently formed Core Coordination Committee (CCC), comprised of representatives from 2 countries (Coordinators), 2 presbyteries, a Companionship Facilitator, a PCUSA Hunger Program liaison, is a development reflects that JHAH is now a worldwide movement by those involved globally and no longer a PCUSA program.

Emphasizing the nature of the relationship between the Network and PCUSA as being one of mutual accompaniment focused on mutual transformation through mutual solidarity through a sharing of concerns in which both partners humbly learn from each other and work together toward mutual betterment, rather than being a funding or project based relationship, helped members understand the value and importance of the link between us.  Combined with the knowledge that Lesotho’s involvement is part of a global movement brought a fresh perspective to the value of what we are doing here.

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Christian Perspective of Development

A presentation by Rev Vernon Vera on development and how, as Christians, we are able to view it within the context of Biblical teachings with the final aim of truly involving people and leaving them in a better place than where we found them, was stimulating and much enjoyed by the participants.  He gave much food for thought and provided a clear focus as the Executive later looked at plans involving the activities of the first quarter of 2006.

Separation of Powers between the Executive and Management

Mr. Seeisa Mokitimi, a good friend and financial advisor to the Network as well as being on the staff of a key member, the Christian Council of Lesotho, spoke with the members about their responsibilities as individual members and as the Executive Committee of the Network.  Through this process a clear understanding is developed early on and clear distinctions create a more effective and cooperative working relationship between the Executive Committee and its members and the Network staff.

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2005 Annual General Meeting

Workshop on Government Food Security Policies

Representatives from all 10 of our District networks attended our Annual General Meeting, held at the Christian Council of Lesotho building in Maseru on the 10^th of December.

At the Anglican Retreat Centre the Friday evening before the Annual General Meeting, attending members attended a workshop given by Mr. Sofonea Shale of Development for Peace Education on the government’s food security policies.  The training currently being used by JHAH to educate its membership around this issue was prepared by Mr. Shale in 2005, so the opportunity for members to meet and discuss this topic with him was a special event.

Through small group discussions, challenging questions and the presentation of information, members were taught the basics of the policy, how it impacts them in their communities and their role in its implementation.  Members were also encouraged to become involved with their local government structures to ensure the policies are implemented to the benefit of the people.

As they came to understand they have a place / a role in the success of these policies, many said they were not aware they could have such influence – they had thought it was just a government thing.  Greatly encouraged, the general feeling was more such workshops and trainings were needed to educate and inform them of their part in the workings of the new local government structures.

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AGM Resolutions (Action items resulting from discussions held during the AGM)

Through the presentation of information, activities and upcoming plans for 2006 a number of resolutions were presented to the Network for consideration and action by the gathered representatives from the various districts.  These include the following.

Ø      The Network office must work out a relationship policy with the Ministry of Agriculture because of our focus on that department’s food security policies.

Ø      The Network must attend the Lesotho government policy review meeting / training regularly so that the Network membership can use this forum to raise their concerns.

Ø      There must be training for District networks by the Network’s national office on the Network’s Constitution. (Note: this is to be translated into Sesotho and distributed to members)

Ø      The Berea District network must give the Leribe District network its subscription fee for its 60 organizations from Leribe that registered with the Berea District network.  Berea must also give Leribe the names of those organizations.

Ø      The newly appointed Executive Committee must follow up the Berea issue and ensure that the relationship between Berea and Leribe is good.

Ø      The Network must have a good approach to the government.

Ø      The Network national office must publicize their activities to the media.

Ø      The District network offices must open their offices to volunteers.

Ø      The Network national office must develop a reporting format for the District networks and disseminate information through their office.

Ø      There must be an exchange program among districts so as to learn from each other.

Ø      The District network membership fee for new and renewing members is M50.00 of which M20.00 will be forwarded to the Network national office.

Ø      A direct membership affiliation to the Network national office will be M150.00.

Ø      Membership subscription fees are due by the end of September to the Network national office.

Ø      The District networks must pay half the transport cost to Network meetings. 

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AGM Elects New Executive Committee Members

Each year the AGM votes in a new Executive Committee, which is the governing body over the JHAH Network.  This year the following members were elected.  ( Note: An * reflects re-elected members)   

            Name                                      Position                                   District

            Maile Maile*                            Chairperson                              Mafeteng         

            Letsema Adontsi*                     Deputy Chairperson                  Mokhotlong

            Bokang Ramatsella*                 Treasurer                                  Berea

            Makhotso Mabaso                   Member                                   Leribe

            Maseephephe Matete               Member                                   Maseru

            Matholang Mosisili*                  Member                                   Qacha’s nek

            Phineas Tele                             Member                                   Quthing

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Last Updated: 29 January 2006