VISIT OF HIS MAJESTY KING LETSIE III
TO
OTTAWA, CANADA
26 NOVEMBER - 01 DECEMBER, 2009

His Majesty King Letsie III flanked by Hon. Dr. Motloheloa Phooko and Dr Peg Herbert at the HelpLesotho anniversary celebration.

His Majesty King Letsie III was in Canada’s Capital of Ottawa on a 5 day visit as HelpLesotho’s Guest of Honour in the celebration of their 5th Year Anniversary. The main purpose for His Majesty’s visit was to personally thank the Canadians of HelpLesotho and beyond for their generous and faithful support of the many orphans and youth in Lesotho who have been infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Various Canadian non-governmental organizations have been raising funds across Canada to support grassroots projects aimed at providing support to orphans, youth, HIV/AIDS patients, grandmothers and the disabled. HelpLesotho in its 5 years has raised over 3 Million Canadian Dollars towards projects in Lesotho.

HelpLesotho, A Canadian NGO founded by Dr. Peg Herbert has over the past 5 years worked with orphaned and vulnerable children with specific focus in the Thaba-Tseka and Leribe Districts. HelpLesotho has amongst others twinned 15 Lesotho schools with schools in Canada and has assisted over 9,000 orphans, grandmothers and youth in its various programs. HelpLesotho has helped 500 grandmothers, paid 1,500 annual school fees, arranged AIDS testing for 7,000 children, youth and teachers, and trained hundreds of orphans each year in leadership, gender equity and HIV/AIDS. Thousands of orphans have been clothed with uniforms and shoes. HelpLesotho has hosted 1,000 children at its annual six-day leadership camps, run eight three-day girls’ leadership conferences and educated 16,000 youth in HIV/AIDS and gender equity.

HelpLesotho has helped 500 grandmothers, paid 1,500 annual school fees, arranged AIDS testing for 7,000 children, youth and teachers, and trained hundreds of orphans each year in leadership, gender equity and HIV/AIDS. Thousands of orphans have been clothed with uniforms and shoes. HelpLesotho has hosted 1,000 children at its annual six-day leadership camps, run eight three-day girls’ leadership conferences and educated 16,000 youth in HIV/AIDS and gender equity.

His Majesty King Letsie III meets with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle JEAN the Governor General of Canada

During his visit, His Majesty the King had an audience with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle JEAN the Governor General of Canada. The Governor General acknowledged, with satisfaction, the work of Canadian Organizations active in Lesotho on issues surrounding HIV/ AIDS and education as the sign of the fraternal relations Lesotho and Canada continue to enjoy. His Majesty was also the Guest of Honour at a luncheon hosted by the Speaker of House of Commons, Mr. Peter MILLIKEN at Parliament Hill.

His Majesty was accompanied by the Honourable Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Motloheloa PHOOKO, the Senior Private Secretary, Mr. Mabotse LEROTHOLI and other senior governmental officials.