January 30, 2006
Dear Friends,
Network focus for 2006
The New Year has begun and strategies for implementing plans
for 2006 through the Joining Hands Against Hunger (JHAH) Lesotho
Network are being put in place. Our primary focus this year is
on food security with a three-fold approach:
- Educating members by district (10 districts in the country)
on the new local government structure* and how to have an effective
voice to influence government policies through new local councilors.
- Educating members on the government food security policies
and how to input their implementation through local government
structures.
- Training leaders in the districts to train others on alternative
farming methods, including seed production.
Political maneuverings prior to 2007 national elections
Since its independence in the 1960s the coming, going, unification,
nullification, and reforming of political parties has been an
ongoing development. With national elections looming in 2007,
last week a new coalition was announced between two smaller parties
in hopes of attracting others to join them to present an alternative
to the ruling party. One of the party leaders is a highly respected
woman who, as a former minister, had resigned her post on principle
and is now a member of the parliament of the Southern Africa Development
Community.
Due to some dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s performance
over the last two terms—and the possibility that the current
prime minister will run for a third term, which is contrary to
SADC’s guidelines for good governance in southern Africa—the
formation of this new coalition is positive news as it relates
to a broadening democratic involvement.
Unfortunately, history has also shown that such conditions also
give rise to political violence in order to gain advantage. In
the early hours of Sunday morning this past weekend, after some
rather heated political party debates at our Maseru Convention
Center, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was shot as he approached
his home. Fortunately it was not fatal and he is recovering at
the local hospital. However there is concern that this is only
the beginning of ongoing incidents leading up to the elections.
Prayer requests
- For the Lord’s vision for us (staff and executive committee)
in our work here.
- The Lord grant us favor in our program implementation; in
our developing relationships with government leaders at all
levels; the ongoing development of our network districts and
members; strategic partnerships with other NGOs.
- For the political situation in the country and ongoing peace
and stability.
- Gratefulness for His provision, care, and plans for us.
With blessings in Christ Jesus,
Cindy
*The new local structure was put in place in 2005 through an
elective process in which a third of the elected were women, in
accordance with an agreement among participating countries in
Southern Africa called SADC (Southern Africa Development Community).
Both aspects of this process—the establishment of government
representatives at local level as well as the inclusion of women—are
important steps in broadening the involvement of the Basotho people
in their government processes.
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
339
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