World Vision brings hope to 650 000 vulnerable children
MOSA MAOENG
MASERU – World Vision International Lesotho has unveiled its ‘BOLD HOPE’ National Strategy 2026-2030, aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of 650,000 vulnerable children, spanning from early childhood to adolescence.
This initiative focuses on Child-Centred programming areas including health, nutrition, and child protection.
Launched last Friday, the strategy emphasizes the theme of transforming lives and empowering communities through agile, low-cost, and high-impact programs.
World Vision has been active in Lesotho since 1987, focusing on the improvement of lives for children, families, and communities in six Area Development Programmes and various projects, particularly in the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas.
James Chifwelu, the National Director of World Vision Lesotho, highlighted the launch as a reaffirmation of their collective commitment to ensuring that every child in Lesotho can experience life in its fullness, no matter their circumstances.
He remarked on past achievements, such as strengthening child protection systems, advancing advocacy for children’s rights, improving community resilience, and increasing access to health and nutrition services.
Additionally, he highlighted improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, support for vulnerable households, and responses to humanitarian crises across the nation.
A notable accomplishment mentioned by Chifwelu is the progress made in menstrual health and hygiene management, leading to the creation of the National Menstrual Health Strategy.
This milestone illustrates the effectiveness of collaboration between government entities, civil society, communities, and development partners.
However, Chifwelu also addressed ongoing challenges, noting that around 35 percent of children under the age of five in Lesotho are stunted due to poor nutrition. He pointed out that violence against children remains a significant concern, affecting their safety and development, and many families continue to face poverty, food insecurity, unemployment, and the impacts of climate-related events. He underscored the additional barriers faced by adolescents, especially girls, which limit their opportunities and well-being, emphasizing the need for renewed urgency in their collective efforts.
Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso commended World Vision’s continuous commitment.
She emphasized the importance of partnership, compassion, and shared responsibility as they look towards the future. Acknowledging the persistent socio-economic challenges faced by many children, she pointed out that too many experience violence before reaching adulthood.
Queen ‘Masenate also raised awareness about the plight of differently abled children who face risks of exclusion, malnutrition, and stunting, impacting their health and future productivity.
She stressed the significance of the new strategy, which directly addresses these issues, with a focus on eradicating violence against children and improving child health and nutrition. She affirmed that children cannot thrive when they are surrounded by fear, neglect, hunger, and exclusion.
Additionally, 16-year-old Molefi Moeketsi, representing children in the community, highlighted the significance of World Vision’s training and workshops designed to educate parents and community leaders on preventing violence against children, addressing Gender-Based Violence, and combating child marriage.
He shared his experience of attending boot camps in Morija organized by World Vision, where he learned self-protection and how to report violence. Molefi also noted the establishment of child-friendly spaces in villages, children’s Parliament, and local child committees that facilitate discussions on their needs and ideas.
He expressed gratitude for World Vision’s support in providing access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in their villages and schools.
Moeketsi expressed gratitude towards World Vision for its strategy aimed at ending violence against children and improving nutrition.
This initiative is poised to tackle pressing issues faced by children today, including child marriage, child initiation, and child labor.
Rev Peter Koona Tefo, representing the Christian Council of Lesotho, highlighted the significant role of faith leaders in fostering a safe and protective environment for children and their families within Lesotho. He noted that the launch of this strategy signifies a renewed commitment to enhancing the well-being of children, families, and communities nationwide.
Through a revised Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership between the council and various organizations focuses on advancing the income, influence, and impact for vulnerable children and communities.
Tefo emphasized that this collaboration has empowered faith leaders to advocate for child protection, promote social cohesion, enhance health initiatives, prepare for disasters, build community resilience, and advocate for the rights and dignity of various groups of children in Lesotho. He remarked on the substantial progress made through their collective efforts, stating that faith leaders have emerged as trusted advocates against violence, abuse, and harmful practices affecting children.
Churches and faith-based organizations have played a crucial role in raising community awareness about child protection, encouraging positive behavioral changes, supporting at-risk households, and fostering better collaboration among communities, government entities, and development partners.
