Pheello Mosesi
In a refreshing bid to inspire self-sustaining food production and less reliance on food donations, Standard Lesotho Bank this week donated 300 broiler chickens and 100 bags of the chicken feed to the St. Cecilia Orphanage.
The handover ceremony took place at St. Cecilia Church in Ha Buasono, Berea district. The total cost of the donation amounted to M66 740.
At the ceremony Pastor Mahlaku, the overseer of St. Cecilia Orphanage expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the generous contribution.
“We have received donations in the past, and we are always thankful. However, what makes this donation special is that it is agriculture-based, which will help the orphanage become more self-sufficient in the long term,” said Pastor Mahlaku.
He emphasised that while it can be humbling to continuously rely on external donations, the chickens offer a sustainable opportunity.
The orphanage can now sell eggs and chickens, feed the children nutritious meals, and generate income to support their operations.
The facility, which is run by 20 workers and caretakers, has been a safe haven for many children in Berea. Phahlane Makoko, the District Administrator of Berea, also highlighted the benefits of the donation.
“It is a great fortune for the children of St. Cecilia Orphanage to receive these chickens. They will not only support the orphanage but also teach the children the value of hard work and responsibility,” said Makoko.
He further stressed the significance of the orphanage as a pillar of support not just for the children who live there but for the entire district of Berea.
Teboho Sello, the Personal Banking Manager at Standard Lesotho Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to building stronger communities, both financially and socially.
Sello noted that this is not the first time the bank has supported St. Cecilia. In previous years, Standard Lesotho Bank donated a building, a tractor, and a borehole to the orphanage, further enhancing its capacity to operate sustainably.
