Lesotho

The Kingdom of Lesotho is a landlocked country made up mostly of highlands where many of the villages are virtually inaccessible, only able to be reached on foot. Lesotho has been heavily dependent on the country which completely surrounds it - South Africa. Over the decades thousands of workers have been forced by the lack of job opportunities to find work at South African mines. Lesotho has one of the world's highest rates of HIV-Aids infection and this has resulted in a large number of child headed households because both parents have died of the disease. Poverty is widespread, with the UN describing 40% of the population as "ultra-poor". 
Against this backdrop the 3500 strong membership of Mothers’ Union is making a big difference within communities, tackling some of the most prevalent and relevant issues of the day. Their activities include:

• Campaigning against gender based violence
• Sewing projects
• Income generating projects including sewing, pig rearing
• Environmental protection
• Care for the elderly
• Orphan care programmes
• Prison ministry
• Marriage preparation