Deep Cove PAC home
A Taste of Lesotho Dinner
May 7 at Deep Cove School
more details
Link to National Geographic's Map of Africa
Photos courtesy of Help Lesotho
Motati Primary School is located in the village of Lihakeng, in the district of Leribe. It has about 500 pupils in grades 1 to 7, and 15 teachers. To learn more about the school, click on School Profile
Latest Updates:
Great news from our twin school in Lesotho: the school buildings have finally been rebuilt. Peg Herbert and Steven Kendall of the organization Help Lesotho have visited them and have sent us a few pictures. I wanted to share these exciting news with the whole school community, so I am sending 2 pictures: one of the school before the reconstruction and one of the brand new buildings. As soon as we get more news, we will share them via the website or PAC meetings or school assemblies. With the new buildings in place, our twin school needs our support more than ever: they will need books, stoves, garden seeds and warm clothing for the winter. There is a lot that we can do to help. If you would like to get more regular updates about our twin school in Lesotho, just send me an e-mail and I will add you to my Lesotho mailing list. Cheers, Martine Lunke (martinelunke@uniserve.com) Read more by Stephen Kendall, Help Lesotho's director of programs: I arrived in Lesotho in the middle of the week last week and have had an incredibly hectic time (not to mention jet lag). But I did go out to visit the Motati this morning with Peg Herbert – it was first on my list. What an amazing experience! The school has been rebuilt from scratch after Peg’s intervention with the Director of Education for the country. The previous buildings were completely dilapidated – the roof of the biggest building that housed most of the classrooms had caved in and the structure was in such poor condition that it could not be rebuilt. For most of last year they had to send the children home every time it rained or when it was too cold. The school property is at the top of an almost impassable dirt road at the top of a rocky hill and in the middle of a field. The new school consists of about six new buildings each housing two classrooms. Even the pit latrines at the back of the property are new. The school has a wonderfully warm principal, Me’ Mpho, and a dedicated staff of about 12 teachers (who all call themselves educators, and the children learners). They are so thrilled to have started the New Year last month in new buildings! And they are so proud of their Deep Cove banner, which hangs prominently in the main administration area. But there are still about 450 children to be housed in the school; most classes have between 50 and 70 children in them. The children walk miles to school and most have only the meal that is served to them at lunch. We were there for lunch and watched them eat from their small bowls, containing cornmeal (the call pappa) and perhaps some beans or cabbage – very few nutrients. The staff greeted us with a wonderful rolling song that washed like waves over us. They opened your packages of letters , booklets and gifts like it was Christmas morning. Each tennis ball was handled like china and each booklet from your children was admired and passed around. Your photos (and your poster) were so tastefully done, showing the children and not any ostentatious representation of our own goods and buildings. The children had built a garden last year to help augment their food variety and to raise some money for the many orphans that they have who cannot afford the uniforms or any extras. But much was bulldozed by the construction; the rest was washed away by unusually heavy rains. But, with great tenacity, they are starting to try to rebuild it. Their needs remain great: uniforms for the orphan children (especially needy of track suits, now that we are about to see the end of summer here), books (virtually all were destroyed when the old school collapsed) or seeds to grow in the garden. Whatever you send is so valued and needed here. Your kindness and generosity continues to make a difference to small children impacted by poverty and the impact of HIV and AIDS. We asked them about their communications back to Canada and they said they are planning to send you something soon. I will make a point of going back there before I leave in April. Our meeting ended with another moving song that included a prayer for their friends in Canada. We took many pictures, but because of the time it takes to send them by email in dial-up, I am sending only a selection that I think will make it. I will be in contact with you when I return regarding all the photos and their greetings back to you. Stephen check out our newsletter for Bday Party Packages and updates on fundraising If you would like to get involved in our efforts to help the community of Motati School, or simply to get more information, contact: Martine Lunke, parent liaison, 656-5658 or Barb Menzies, teacher liaison, 656-3895 Also, check the Help Lesotho website at www.helplesotho.ca School Profile Lesotho update May 2007.pdf Lesotho update June 2007.pdf Another update June 2007.pdf Fundraising: We have started a small fundraising campaign to help Motati School build an income-generating garden. The produce grown in this garden will be used to improve the lunches for the students and the remaining vegetables will be sold at the local market to generate much-needed income for the school. The school needs a fence, some tools, a shed to store the tools and some seeds. Presently, there is a small garden but the tools they use are borrowed from the local villagers and are not always available when needed. The estimated cost of this project is $3,000. Over the summer, some of you have sent in individual donations. Also, St John’s United Church on West Saanich Rd has held a Salmon Barbeque and Singing in the Orchard evening as a fundraiser for Motati School. Additionally, some of our Deep Cove students have pitched in and raised a lot of money, by requesting donations instead of birthday gifts, making and selling paintings and crafts, or busking at the Sidney summer market. We thank you for all your contributions. All your efforts are making a big difference. All donations can be mailed directly to: Help Lesotho, 11 Keefer Street Ottawa, ON K1M 2J9 **Please specify that you would like the funds to be used to help Motati School**
Read more by Stephen Kendall, Help Lesotho's director of programs:
I arrived in Lesotho in the middle of the week last week and have had an incredibly hectic time (not to mention jet lag). But I did go out to visit the Motati this morning with Peg Herbert – it was first on my list. What an amazing experience! The school has been rebuilt from scratch after Peg’s intervention with the Director of Education for the country.
The previous buildings were completely dilapidated – the roof of the biggest building that housed most of the classrooms had caved in and the structure was in such poor condition that it could not be rebuilt. For most of last year they had to send the children home every time it rained or when it was too cold. The school property is at the top of an almost impassable dirt road at the top of a rocky hill and in the middle of a field. The new school consists of about six new buildings each housing two classrooms. Even the pit latrines at the back of the property are new. The school has a wonderfully warm principal, Me’ Mpho, and a dedicated staff of about 12 teachers (who all call themselves educators, and the children learners).
They are so thrilled to have started the New Year last month in new buildings! And they are so proud of their Deep Cove banner, which hangs prominently in the main administration area. But there are still about 450 children to be housed in the school; most classes have between 50 and 70 children in them. The children walk miles to school and most have only the meal that is served to them at lunch. We were there for lunch and watched them eat from their small bowls, containing cornmeal (the call pappa) and perhaps some beans or cabbage – very few nutrients. The staff greeted us with a wonderful rolling song that washed like waves over us. They opened your packages of letters , booklets and gifts like it was Christmas morning. Each tennis ball was handled like china and each booklet from your children was admired and passed around. Your photos (and your poster) were so tastefully done, showing the children and not any ostentatious representation of our own goods and buildings. The children had built a garden last year to help augment their food variety and to raise some money for the many orphans that they have who cannot afford the uniforms or any extras. But much was bulldozed by the construction; the rest was washed away by unusually heavy rains. But, with great tenacity, they are starting to try to rebuild it. Their needs remain great: uniforms for the orphan children (especially needy of track suits, now that we are about to see the end of summer here), books (virtually all were destroyed when the old school collapsed) or seeds to grow in the garden. Whatever you send is so valued and needed here. Your kindness and generosity continues to make a difference to small children impacted by poverty and the impact of HIV and AIDS. We asked them about their communications back to Canada and they said they are planning to send you something soon. I will make a point of going back there before I leave in April. Our meeting ended with another moving song that included a prayer for their friends in Canada.
We took many pictures, but because of the time it takes to send them by email in dial-up, I am sending only a selection that I think will make it.
I will be in contact with you when I return regarding all the photos and their greetings back to you.
Stephen
check out our newsletter for Bday Party Packages and updates on fundraising
If you would like to get involved in our efforts to help the community of Motati School, or simply to get more information, contact:
Fundraising:
We have started a small fundraising campaign to help Motati School build an income-generating garden. The produce grown in this garden will be used to improve the lunches for the students and the remaining vegetables will be sold at the local market to generate much-needed income for the school. The school needs a fence, some tools, a shed to store the tools and some seeds. Presently, there is a small garden but the tools they use are borrowed from the local villagers and are not always available when needed. The estimated cost of this project is $3,000.
Over the summer, some of you have sent in individual donations. Also, St John’s United Church on West Saanich Rd has held a Salmon Barbeque and Singing in the Orchard evening as a fundraiser for Motati School. Additionally, some of our Deep Cove students have pitched in and raised a lot of money, by requesting donations instead of birthday gifts, making and selling paintings and crafts, or busking at the Sidney summer market. We thank you for all your contributions.
All your efforts are making a big difference.
All donations can be mailed directly to: Help Lesotho, 11 Keefer Street Ottawa, ON K1M 2J9
**Please specify that you would like the funds to be used to help Motati School**
