Lesotho is a small country in southern Africa; mountainous and stunningly beautiful, the country is home to the Basotho people. AIDS is taking a devastating toll on the country, with people in their productive years, i.e., parents, farmers, teachers and health workers, dying in alarming numbers. Left behind are children and the elderly, who struggle to survive. Life saving ARV treatment is now available to those infected with AIDS in Lesotho, and the race to get the whole nation tested, and treated, is on.

In the foothills of the Maluti mountains, a remarkable community is providing a home for disabled children and those whose parents have died of AIDS. Founder Mamello Lehlotha has a wonderful strength of spirit, a sense of humor and a clear picture of what she wants to accomplish. Her motto is "nobody without testing, nobody without treatment". She has mobilized her community to address AIDS and the orphan crisis, and now delivers critical social services in her region.

Together with a committed group of disabled and HIV+ community members from the village of Ha Makhata, Mamello has been working since the year 2001 to give a safe haven to the mentally and physically handicapped. 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.

The Phelisanong Disabled HIV-AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children Community Project provides a resource center for disabled adults and children, a primary school, several HIV-AIDS support groups, a farm, a pre-school, a handicraft cooperative and an outreach program that serves 14 villages in the area. Read more....

Contact | Map

Short films on the project are available for free viewing on You Tube.
Check out the following links:

Please visit these links to find out more about Phelisanong's various departments:

Orphans and Vulnerable Children * HIV&AIDS Support & Outreach
Sports & Rebabilitation * Organic Farm
Pre-school and Residence for Disabled Children * Primary School
Handicrafts & Vocational Training

Read MORE