Paballong The Place of Care

The Kingdom of Lesotho Independent but completely surrounded by South Africa 30,355 km 2 – about the size of Belgium Mostly mountainous, up to 3,482m (11,425 ft) Highest lowest point of any country Snow in the winter Unreliable rain for farming

Lesotho’s history Formed as kingdom by Moshoeshoe I in early 19 th century Lesotho lost land to South Africa as settlers moved in Given protection by Queen Victoria 1868 Migrant labour to South African diamond and gold mines Independence from Britain 1966 Constitutional monarchy under King Letsie III

Lesotho’s people Population about 2 million About 200,000 in capital, Maseru 27% urban now, but most still live in rural villages Relatively good literacy rate (98% of females, 86% of males aged 15-24) Many households headed by women 39% of population aged under 15

Lesotho’s economy Used to depend on migrant labour to South African mines – now much reduced Low wage employment for women in Chinese- owned textile factories Most people try to subsist with farming and livestock (some wool, mohair exports) Diamond mining expanding Highlands Water Project sells water to South Africa

Poverty in Lesotho Widespread hardship 43% live on less than 77p per day 56% live below national poverty line People must combine multiple livelihood strategies 20% of children under 5 are moderately or severely under weight 79 per 1,000 children die before 5 th birthday

HIV/AIDS in Lesotho At 23.7%, Lesotho has the third highest adult HIV prevalence in the world. There are an estimated 62 new HIV infections and 50 deaths due to AIDS each day. An estimated 270,000 people are living with HIV in Lesotho. Of these, 11,801 are children and 258,472 are adults. Women continue to bear a heavier burden; with an estimated 153,581 infected compared to 116,692 men. With an estimated 55,000 pregnancies annually, 15,235 infants are born to HIV-infected women each year which means 6,094 new infections annually. (Government of Lesotho, 2010)

The impacts of HIV/AIDS Personal anguish Caring for the sick Family tragedies Caring for orphans Loss to household livelihoods Loss to national economy

Responding to HIV/AIDS Promoting behaviour change Encouraging people to know their status Providing counselling Providing drugs Promoting healthy living Supporting carers Helping people to die with dignity

The Paballong Centre ‘The place of care’ Paballong Trust founded 2001 Centre built on Berea Plateau near Maseru Centre opened 2007 Modest medical facilities Voluntary counselling and testing centre Chapel Garden, livestock 24 staff

Services at Paballong Care Prevention Mitigation

Numbers helped at Paballong Since January 2007, total 4,439 clients have made 30,955 visits to Centre 596 on ART Average 495 visits per month in ,518 people treated for opportunistic diseases in 2010 Tested the HIV status of 2,153 people Provided 10,422 treatments for opportunistic diseases. To date (end 2012) free lunches have been provided to 22,413 people, both patients and care-givers.

Paballong budget Total budget for 2013 was M1,943,527 (£109,420) Many sponsors in Lesotho, Europe, North America All services to patients, including ART, are free

Plans at Paballong Try to strengthen government support (nurses’ salaries) Continue core activities Provide emergency maternity services Expand outreach to villages Expand agricultural activities Operate day care centre for orphans and vulnerable children aged 2 - 6

The Paballong UK Trust Charity established in 2010 Object is ‘the relief of poverty in Lesotho, specifically among those who are severely disadvantaged and infected or affected by HIV/AIDS’ Focus is on support to Paballong Centre Raising money in the UK for Paballong 5 Trustees – Stephen Turner is chairman Registered with Charities Commission

For more information

Thank you!