Sash Grants for Vulnerable Children in Lesotho

Launch of cash grants for orphans and other vulnerable children in Lesotho

WHEN: 22 APRIL 2009, starting 10 am.
WHERE: Ha Paki, Thaba Ts'oeu (Community Council Mathula, Mafeteng District).
WHO: Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Head of Delegation and Ambassador of the European Commission to the Kingdom of Lesotho, UNICEF Lesotho Representative.

WHAT:
On 22 April 2009, the Government of Lesotho will launch the groundbreaking Child Grants Programme. Through the programme, poor households caring for orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC), including child headed households and children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS, will be provided with a quarterly payment of Maloti 360 (about US$ 38).

The initiative has been supported financially and technically by the European Commission (EC) and UNICEF respectively. It is the major component of a larger package of child services that the Government believes will make a real difference to the lives of its vulnerable children, especially those made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS.

The principal aim of the programme is to decrease chronic or shock-induced poverty of households with OVC, by supplementing their income and promoting investment in children’s survival, health, education, development and protection.

The Child Grants Programme’s pilot phase will cover approximately 5,000 OVC living in 1,250 poor households. The programme will then be phased gradually across districts to reach as many OVC as possible.

On 22 April 2009, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, together with the heads of EC and UNICEF will officially launch the unprecedented Child Grants Programme, by disbursing the first grant in the village of Ha Paki, Thaba Ts'oeu (Community Council Mathula), Mafeteng District. All media houses are invited to attend this landmark event.

For more information please contact:

Tumisang Mokoai, MOHSW Public Relations Officer
Tel: +266-22226503; or Mobile: +266-63000033
e-mail: mokoait@health.gov.ls

Clelia Barbadoro, UNICEF Communication Officer
Tel: +266-22315801; or Mobile: +266-58882872
E-mail: cbarbadoro@unicef.org

ENDS

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