Lesotho is a small country in southern Africa. Mountainous and ruggedly beautiful, the country is home to the Basotho people. AIDS is taking a devastating toll on the country, with people in their productive years — parents, farmers, teachers and health workers — dying in alarming numbers. Left behind are children and the elderly, who struggle to cope. Life saving ARV treatment is now available to those infected with AIDS in Lesotho, and the race for the whole nation to be tested, and treated, is on. View Map
In the foothills of the Maluti mountains, a remarkable community has come together to provide a home for disabled children and those whose parents have died of AIDS. Founded by a group of disabled and HIV positive villagers, Phelisanong is an indigenous-led, grassroots group, whose members understand on a personal level what the challenges are in living with HIV and disabilities. Since it’s inception in 2001, Phelisanong have grown to become one of the leaders in community development in Lesotho.
The project has grown to embrace those living with AIDS, offering education, counselling, testing and treatment assistance, and support for those living with the disease, and the orphans it has left behind. Following their motto, “nobody without testing, nobody without treatment”, Phelisanong has mobilized their community to address AIDS and the orphan crisis. The project operates a community health clinic and an AIDS outreach program that co-ordinates HIV testing, holds village level education workshops, and visits patients in their homes. Their team of six ‘Warriors’ travel from village to village, reaching thousands of patients and their families.
Using local resources and community volunteers, combined with wise use of outside development assistance, Phelisanong has built a primary school, a secondary school, a health clinic, a handicraft cooperative and a library/computer lab.
