Vodacom Lesotho Foundation in conjunction with the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid funded project ECHO II DRR handed over the last 20 of 82 ACE ultra-clean biomass cook stoves in ‘Malefiloane, Mokhotlong on the 6th August 2021. The stoves were donated to World Vision Lesotho as supports towards the organization’s Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project.

Beneficiaries of the cook stove donation are people living with disabilities and vulnerable as identified by the Ministry of Social Development through the available data on their roster. The earmarked location is an epicenter of the spatially distributed villages and population of Sanqebethu Council.

In her opening remarks, ECHO II’s Project Manager, Ms Mamello Tsekoa, alluded to that World Vision-Lesotho seeks to protect children’s livelihoods and looks out for people living with disabilities. “ECHO II is a project under World Vision that seeks to address the disaster risks Lesotho faces by equipping residents with necessary skills and knowledge to minimise effects of any disasters” Beneficiaries are people living with disabilities and vulnerable as selected by the Ministry of Social Development

On behalf of the Vodacom Foundation, Specialist Corporate Communications Ms Thato Mochone indicated that the Foundation is mandated to invest in critical areas of development, in line with the Government of Lesotho’s national strategic development plan, and the United Nation’s sustainable development goals.

“We are vested in addressing social issues through innovation and technology. The biomass cookstoves will reduce carbon emissions at the same time provide the much needed electricity for lighting and charging of phones”

She further indicated that Vodacom Lesotho Foundation seeks to be inclusive in its address of issues.

Mr Ratile Leotlela from Ministry of Social Development, urged the recipients to desist from selling the biomass cookstoves instead he encouraged them to fully maximize the features of the stove to cook and provide electricity to charge phones and light rooms.

“Consider people living with disabilities, these stoves will aid them immensely and cut them the tedious exercise some have to go through before ultimately having a freshly cooked meal just to gather combustible material to make fire” Mr Leotlela iterated. He took time to educate the recipients on rights of children, people living with disabilities. He concluded his remarks by saying “investing in children regardless of their disability, will help each and everyone of us. Do not hide those children living with disabilities and disability grant is currently on the table so it is upon us to ensure that we protect them”

In passing vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs ‘Malehasa Buts’ana said “I wish to thank the donor, Vodacom Lesotho Foundation and World Vision for this auspicious gift before us. I am out of words but to say thank you”

In concluding the event, Mrs Selloane Sephaka on behalf of the District Administrator’s office in Mokhotlong passed her vote of thanks and highlighted the challenge of lack of electrical connection in the district.

Vodacom Lesotho Foundation has donated 82 stoves each valued at M1600 to ECHO II .

ECHO II is a 2 year projected from June 2020 to November 2021 funded by European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid implemented by World Vision Lesotho. It currently operates in Sanqabethu and Menoaneng councils Mokhotlong and Tenesolo and Litsoetsoe councils in Thaba-Tseka.