Sixty (60) representatives of the Katse and Lejone highland communities received certificates of accomplishment at a ceremony held at the Bishop Allard Vocational School (BAVS), Boinyatso. The occasion took place on 25 October, 2004. The 60 men and women attended 10 week courses in Catering and Sewing, building and Carpentry.
Graduates after receiving their certificates at BAVS
The funding for tuition and lodging at the school was made possible through funding from the communal compensation. Two years earlier the various communities received compensation from the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA). The compensation was awarded to the communities for loss of communal pastoral land, medicinal and wild vegetables lost to the impoundment of the 180m lofty Katse dam.
The LHDA advised communities to form co-operative groups to enable them to access the funds. The communities have taken advantage of the compensation funding to equip themselves with life skills.
Meanwhile, the Terateng Makhona-Tsohle cooperative at Ha Theko next to Katse dam which has four hundred and ten members (410) have started implementing their plans. They have constructed a shopping complex which included a supermarket, filling station, bar, spare parts shop and a show room where members can show-case their wares products. According to the chairman of the cooperative society, Mr. Moferefere Motloang, the complex will become operational in December 2004. He said that they are planning to employ workers from among the members of the communities. He added that the manager of the complex will be from the local village.
Shopping Complex for Terateng
Makhona-Tsohle society
The Bokong Multi-purpose at Bokong, Ha Katse, has 600
members. The group is planning to build a shopping mall at Thaba-Tseka some 70km
away from Katse. Mr. Moea Ramokoatsi, chairman of the group stated that
the purpose of their business is to offer commercial services to communities of
Thaba-Tseka, and to be ready for increased business demands when Phase II comes
into board. They have decided to move over to Thaba-Tseka so that the
Makhona-Tsohle can enjoy a wider business market in the Katse location. He
specified that the site has been allocated and construction will start in
January, 2004. He informed that items that will be found in the complex will
include the vaseline factory, filling station, supermarket and the bar. The
vaseline is locally manufactured by members of the group.
The Tsepahalang-Lekhulo-le-a Baballoa cooperative at Ha
Kostabole on the other side of Katse village have constructed a roller mill.
Mr. Apile Mathinyane, chairman of the group said that the group has one hundred
and eighteen (118) members. He stated that they have started with the roller
mill, but they also have in their plans a crop and animal farming, sewing and
carpentry. They are planning to rear chicken to supply local communities with
both meat and eggs. They also have a land where they are going to plant fruit
trees.
A roller mill at Ha Konstabole Katse
A graduation day to remember at BAVS
BAVS stands for Bishop Allard Vocational School. The 60
men and women from Katse Lejone area in the highlands received certificates for
good and impressive performance in the areas of catering and sewing as well as
building (construction). Those engaged in carpentry will receive them in
the new gesture.
"We owe it to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that we are here today to acquire new life skills. The communal compensation that we have received has empowered the communities. We are expected to return the loan on agreed terms such that others can have access to it". were accordingly coming from the participants.
House constructed by trainees from LHWP
"We will return home to pass on our knowledge and new
acquired expertise to members of our communities. We would like the LHDA
to monitor our progress and assist us when necessary with training to ensure
sustainability of our efforts".
"We will build houses for members of the communities and for tourists who will come our way. This will enable us to be self-sufficient" said Maephe-Maephe and others.
"The LHDA has provided us with training and we are grateful for that".
Some of the products produced by LHWP participants
"One good team deserves another"
Mrs. Mafaku Faku, Principal at the BAVS had this to say "we are proud at BAVS to have been of assistance to the LHDA. We remembered that at one point in the past we needed equipment at our school. The LHDA hammered our humble request and donated some five machines. When we learned about budget limitation on LHDA part we arranged to intervene and took a decision to give them a discounted tuition fee of M450 instead of M700 each for the 60 participants and M80 accommodation and food instead of M150.00 each.
Mrs. Mafaku Faku, Principal of BAVS showing
products of LHWP participants
"The notable act of bringing these participants to our school has done us good as a marketing initiative and we hope that other institutions will follow in your steps".