30-31:Issue 2 27/04/2009 10:46 Page 30
Province of Southern Africa
Lesotho
T
he Kingdom of Lesotho is a landlocked country
made up mostly of highlands where many of the
villages are only accessible on foot. During winter
these areas see very low temperatures and shepherds
wearing only wrap-around blankets often have to contend with snow.
Over the decades thousands of workers Mothers' Union in Lesotho is a vibrant
have been forced by the lack of local job organisation not only in the Church but also
opportunities to find work in South African reaching out to the community. Supported
mines. Lesotho has one of the world's by the government’s Ministry of Gender
highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection; this has they are working hard to address the issue
resulted in a large number of child-headed of domestic violence and abuse which
households because both parents have affects many women and children. Mothers'
died. Poverty is widespread, with the UN Union members are also involved in
describing 40% of the population as voluntary work such as planting trees to
’ultra-poor’. prevent soil erosion.
Swaziland
S
waziland is a tiny country mostly surrounded by
South Africa. Poverty is rife due to unemployment
and frequent drought. Its unemployment rate stands
at 40% while almost three-quarters of the population
live on an average daily income of $1 or less. About 30% of
the population rely on food-aid handouts.
Swaziland also has one of the world's children under the age of 15.
highest HIV/AIDS rates. Since the country’s Mothers' Union in Swaziland is involved in
first AIDS case was reported in 1986, the home-based care, conducting workshops
epidemic has spread relentlessly in all parts and raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, and
of the country. More than 220,000 people organising weekend care groups for
are now HIV positive, including 15,000 orphaned children.
Fact File
LESOTHO –Population:: 2,128,180 Mothers’ Union members:approximately 1,200
SWAZILAND –Population:: 1,128,814 Mothers’ Union members: approximately 1,120
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