2004 NEWS
Lesotho.
We were privileged to be present for the opening of the new LINK offices at Maqalika site during our visit there in September. It was a very special occasion. Our friends in Lesotho have a wonderful facility with potential to develop a campsite and to offer outdoor activity programmes for tourists as a means of income generation. King Letsie III opened the new buildings and spoke warmly of the partnership Lesotho enjoys with the LINK. The staff are now settling into their new premises and developing new systems and work patterns appropriate to their changed location. The YAP staff are training in order to teach selected children to become peer group AIDS educators, and expect to be running courses from the new offices. This project, “Breaking the Circle”, is one you will be hearing more of in the future.
Container.
You may be aware that the container is due to arrive in Maseru on Monday 15th. The Container Group did a fantastic job – a small but incredibly dedicated group who moved mountains of goods – in fact such huge mountains that we had to order a 40 foot container instead of the original 20 foot! The response to our appeal was magnificent and thousands of pounds worth of goods, requested by the Basotho, was sent on its way with great rejoicing. The cost of the container ended up almost double that which we had anticipated but correspondence with a stranger who felt God was moving him to action led to him sending a cheque for £2,000 which more than covered the costs! God is good! It was hard work but rewarding.
“Imagine”.
The response to the “Imagine” appeal has been encouraging, too. Our target for this year is £10,000 and to date we have received almost £8,000 so please keep praying the money in.
People
It is good to report that a number of people are going to Lesotho from the UK to offer their skills in developing the work there. Currently a young man, Richard Mott, is working with the YAP staff for 7 weeks doing management training and helping to set up systems. Over the New Year a team of 4 young adults with musical skills, Sam and Leanna Williamson, Alison Beck and Alistair Bianchi, will be running a two week music camp for young Basotho who have been chosen for musical aptitude (the musical instruments are in the container!), they will be based at the new site. In January Revds. Adrian and Helen Thorp will begin a six month visit working with the diocese of Lesotho. They will be helping to develop work with Theological Education by Extension and looking at ways of enabling local church leaders to begin to minister to the multiple loss issues facing AIDS devastated communities. In the spring Colin Sillett, early retired headteacher of Bishop Ian Ramsey Junior school, begins a three year stint working with the College of Education and supporting the work of the LINK staff in Lesotho. Several other individuals have expressed a desire to offer their services to Lesotho and we are seeking an appropriate response.
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