SOS celebrates 30 years of caring for children

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—His Majesty praises the organization  

Sewing Machine  

SOS Children’s Villages recently celebrated 30 years of caring for orphans and vulnerable children, providing them with the opportunity to grow in a caring environment.  

SOS not only provides a home for the children, but also ensures they receive quality healthcare and education to prepare them for a better future.  

The SOS Children’s Village Lesotho was established in 1994 and has supported dozens of orphans and vulnerable children.  

Last week, the facility’s 30th anniversary celebrations were held at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre.  

Guests attending the event included King Letsie III, patron of SOS Children’s Villages and keynote speaker for the day.  

Also present at the event was the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Pitso Lesaooana, and representatives of businesses that have supported the village over the years, including Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB).  

In his speech at the event, the King expressed his gratitude to the staff (current and former) and donors of the Children’s Village who ensured the children’s well-being.  

He said the village was a shelter for orphans and vulnerable children who were in dire need of help.  

He said Lesotho suffered from many social ills caused by adults and unfortunately, innocent children bore the brunt of the suffering caused by the destructive behaviour of adults. 

“As I have often said, I am grateful to SOS Children’s Villages. As a Christian, I thank God for being with us for 30 years. I am also grateful to the staff and former staff of SOS Children’s Villages for their dedication, commitment, care and love for the vulnerable children in need,” the King said.  

“You are aware of the problems our country faces, which put children in vulnerable situations. Unfortunately, these problems are caused by adults, and innocent children are the victims. As SOS Children’s Villages, please continue to care for and protect vulnerable children, give them hope for the future, and shape them into future leaders.”  

He added that he was grateful for the financial assistance they had received over the years, especially the 450,000 kyats donated by Standard Bank Lesotho on the anniversary occasion.  

“I am very grateful to our sponsors, especially Standard Bank Lesotho, who have just handed over a cheque for 450,000 manats to help us with our operations. I hope other companies will use this as motivation to do the same as we care for and help the vulnerable children who cry out for help.”  

Minister Lesaouna expressed his gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan for SOS’s “commitment to caring for vulnerable and orphaned children.” 

“I have known SOS Children’s Villages for a long time. Long before I became a minister. I am grateful for their 30 years of wonderful work, turning desperate children into future leaders,” said Mr. Lesaoana.  

“As SOS Children’s Villages celebrates its 30th anniversary and Lesotho marks the 200th anniversary of the Basotho nation, you must consider yourself very lucky to be celebrating this milestone in this important year.  

“I thank the king for being a father to these children, they call him dad because they see hope and a better life in him.”  

Malehana Mafisa, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages, said in 2023, they reflected on their journey and recalled the challenges they had faced and the achievements they had made over the years.  

Ms Mafisa said they have developed a strategic plan for 2024-2028 to improve what they do and continue to train children to be better versions of themselves. 

“We identified the challenges we face, including the difficulty our children have in adjusting after being reunited with their families. We are now helping them reintegrate into the community through public enrichment programmes. We ensure they are self-employed and attend school up to tertiary education,” said Ms Mafisa.