Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

Volunteers conducted four winter aid distributions in the southern African country of Lesotho, reaching 865 families in five townships, including one 150 kilometres from the capital city.  

It is a landlocked country, entirely surrounded by South Africa, with a population of two million people, of whom 40 per cent live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day. Its capital is Maseru. The distribution was a major logistical operation; the first was held on May 23 and the fourth on June 26.

One involved a long journey of 150 km from Maseru, the furthest distance of the four. The operation involved traveling across poor, bumpy roads and combating winter temperatures that dropped to six degrees below zero. The volunteers prepared the aid package to provide which local people need – corn flour, beans, cooking oil, salt, winter clothes, blankets and hats. One was held in the village of Ha-Setho. Before it began, the villagers were waiting patiently at the distribution site, singing and dancing to show their gratitude and happiness. They were delighted to receive the goods.

In the village of Matukeng, the distribution had a special meaning. Last year the volunteers handed out corn seeds to 520 households in the village. The seeds can be re-planted four times. Seven months later, they had a bumper harvest. But some farmers lost their crops because of insects; they are too poor to buy pesticide. Those who were able to harvest shared their corn with those who were unable to; it was a way to pay back some of the love they received last year.


※Life Wisdom: 2010/07/13 Tzu Chi's Continued Care in Lesotho