Africa-Press – Lesotho. Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic all over the world there had been increased efforts to cushion those who are mostly rendered vulnerable by the effects of the pandemic.
Humanitarian organisations, the government, the business community and individuals in their personal capacity had extended a helping hand to offer either financial assistance, technical support, food
packages and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to those in need. Recently Informative Newspaper sat down with the Executive Director of the Global Hope Mobilisation (GLOHOMO), which had contributed to address the
challenges posed by the pandemic. The organisation is headquartered in Malawi and has footprints in some Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries
such as Lesotho, to find out how the journey has been, if impact was had and what plans are set for future. In October last year, GLOHOMO pledged M3 million to address the COVID-19 challenges in 10 million schools.
The organisation had assisted schools with tanks, infrared thermometers, sanitizers, masks and medicated bar soaps. Caleb Faith Thole, who is the GLOHOMO
Executive Director, said they have mounted a COVID-19 response project wherein they focus on the schools, borders and airports, adding that the disease enters
the country through those entrances. He said they also focus on water, sanitation and hygiene. “We need to have clean water. ” The Executive Director added: “we are also
focusing on the capacity building as you know this is a new disease, we have few health workers and this disease needs special care. ” He added that they are
conducting capacity building for health workers. He further mentioned that they are also focusing on areas with high risks factors like the markets and bus
terminals where there are many people. Thole said the organisation has so far donated over 200, 000 masks and supported over 40, 000 people and students in
Lesotho and have mounted tippy taps at the markets across the SADC region where they operate. “We are looking at the prevention of COVID-19 so that people are
able to do business as normal,” he said while mentioning that they also give out food parcels. The GLOHOMO Executive Director further highlighted that they will be rolling out second phase of the humanitarian
assistance in Lesotho. This he said, includes the capacity building exercise. Asked how much impact has their initiative had over the communities where they help, he said students are now able to
attend classes well and do not bunk school. He also noted that previously some schools did not have access to portable water and good ablution facilities hence they
helped them address those needs. He added that “if people do not have proper sanitation and information, this disease will not go”. Thole further mentioned
that they have distributed information material to teach people about the COVID-19 pandemic. He said they also revamped some taps. Their organisation has
helped some schools which did not have access to clean water. For full execution of this work, Thole pointed out that they also join forces with the Ministry of Education and
Training (MoET), Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Meanwhile the GLOHOMO Country Coordinator Zwelithini Matsoso told this publication that they had held a capacity building
exercise for the Home Affairs personnel as well. Asked what their future plans in Lesotho are, he said they will also put efforts towards HIV prevention
initiative. He also pointed out that there is lack of water and proper sanitation in schools, which they intend to mitigate. The Executive Director said they will
empower women with skills development and income-generating skills. He thanked the support assistance from the Swiss Agency for Development, for enabling them
to carry out their activities. GLOHOMO is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that sets out to “promote access to equitable quality health and developmental
services” among others. In advancing its humanitarian activities and advocacy, it joins forces with the governments, United Nations agencies and the business community.
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