The Kits for Kids program links sponsors, who pay $1 per day, to children cared for by the Phelisanong project. Sponsors are encouraged to correspond with their sponsored child and receive regular photos and updates from the project.
The number of orphans in Lesotho is staggering: with one in three people infected with HIV, there are dozens of orphans in every village. Phelisanong aims to assist orphans and child-headed households in the following ways:
• access to primary school, with preferential enrollment in Mamello English Medium Primary and Phelisanong High School for double and single orphans;
• a breakfast feeding program to supplement school lunches for 100 of the most vulnerable children;
• a pre-school/daycare program for young children being cared for by older siblings, enabling older children to attend school;
• access to a thrice-weekly feeding program, and participation in household level agriculture program providing training, seeds, and tools;
• recreation and sports programs involving vulnerable youth, with HIV/AIDS prevention strategies incorporated into sports camps and cultural days;
• residence for disabled and chronically ill children. 70 children are now sheltered at Phelisanong; a further 30 children will be admitted upon completion of 10 family style residence buildings, including 1 planned ’transition house’ for children requiring emergency and temporary shelter from abuse or neglect.
Phelisanong operates the “Kits for Kids” sponsorship program, whereby donors are able to contribute towards the care and shelter of a child. In exchange for their $1 a day commitment, the sponsors receive regular photos and updates about the progress of the project and are encouraged to correspond with their sponsored child. Kits for Kids sponsors can sign on for monthly auto-debit or donate annually.
