Help Lesotho

Help Lesotho is a non-governmental organization that was founded in 2004 by Dr. Peg Herbert. This organization is made up primarily of Canadians, working to help the country of Lesotho, which is located in the southern region of Africa. Dr. Herbert started the organization after meeting a student at the University of Ottawa, where Peg was teaching a class in educational psychology. Many Canadians and Basotho have helped in the project. Many sponsors come from Canada and other countries in the world. The main priority for the organization is to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Lesotho has the 3rd highest rate of infection of this disease.

There is a Quinte Chapter of Help Lesotho in Belleville, Ontario helping the Bytown Orphanage in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho.

World renowned South African cellist Ha!Man (Francois le Roux) has had many fundraiser concerts for Help Lesotho and also had a benefit concert for the president of the Help Lesotho club at Ridgemont High School in Ottawa, Mai-lin Tsou, who died on August 28, 2006 from a traffic accident. Stephen Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/ AIDS in Africa, had been a special guest for a Help Lesotho fundraiser in April 2006. There is also a partnership with the Lesotho High Commissioner in Canada, Mots'eoa Senyane. M'e Senyane has been a major activist for NGO's all across Lesotho.

There are two offices for the organization. The Canadian office is located in the community of New Edinburgh in Ottawa. The Basotho office is located in Hlotse, Lesotho, which is in proximity to Leribe Craft Centre. The Department of Foreign Affairs Canada, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia are financially assisting interns, who are working in Lesotho to find manageable solutions to stabilize the country.



AIDS Conference complaint
On August 14 2006, Dr. Peg Herbert wrote a letter to The Globe and Mail questioning why the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, wasn't going to attend the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto. 

Twinned schools

 * Bishop Hamilton School, Ottawa - Mahlekefane Primary School, Mahlekefane
 * Edmison Heights Public School, Peterborough, Ontario - Pontmain Primary School, Pontmain
 * Elmwood School, Ottawa - St. Charles High School, Seboche
 * Fielding Drive Public School, Ottawa - Paray Primary School, Paray
 * Gulf Islands Secondary School, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia - Pitseng High School, Pitseng
 * Philemon Wright High School, Gatineau, Quebec- Mamohau High School, Mamohau
 * Ridgemont High School, Ottawa - Bokoro High School, Butha-Buthe
 * Riverview Alternative School, Ottawa - Bokoro Primary School, Ha Bokoro
 * Rockcliffe Park Public School, Ottawa - Guardian Angel Primary School, Pitseng
 * Salt Spring Island Middle School, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia - Raphoka Primary School, Raphoka
 * Turnbull School, Ottawa - Sefapanong Primary School, Paray
 * Viking School, Viking, Alberta - Molapo High School, Hlotse

Famous people involved with the organization

 * David Anderson - former Canadian Minister of the Environment (orphan sponsor)
 * Ed Broadbent - former Leader of the New Democratic Party in Canada
 * Bill Clinton - former President of the United States
 * David Kilgour - former Canadian politician
 * Stephen Lewis - United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa (supporter)
 * John Manley - former Canadian Minister of Finance and former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada(supporter)
 * Elizabeth May - Leader of the Green Party of Canada (orphan sponsor)
 * Peter Milliken - Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
 * Ken Rockburn - Television host on CPAC (Talk Politics) (orphan sponsor)
 * Mots'eoa Senyane - Lesotho High Commissioner to Canada (supporter)

Musicians supporting the organization

 * Ha!Man - South African Cellist
 * Lenore Dixon - Canadian Pianist from Belleville, Ontario (orphan sponsor)
 * Kate Reid - Canadian Musician from Vancouver, British Columbia

Churches and schools affiliated

 * Ashbury College, Ottawa
 * Corpus Christi School, Ottawa
 * Harcourt Memorial United Church, Guelph, Ontario
 * Holy Trinity Church, North Gower, Ontario
 * John McCrae Public School, Guelph, Ontario
 * Kars Public School, Kars, Ontario
 * Sacred Heart Church, Ottawa
 * St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, Ottawa
 * St. George's Anglican Church, Ottawa
 * St. John's Anglican Church, Kingston, Ontario
 * St. Mark's United Church, Belleville, Ontario
 * Tecumseh Elementary School, London, Ontario
 * Yorkhill Elementary School, Thornhill, Ontario