May I firstly start by thanking the Rotary Club of Maseru for hosting us and for the very warm welcome that we received from Bloemfontein Rotary Club which for those of you that have either been reading the blog or have had the opportunity of experiencing South African hospitality, will recognize is truly exceptional.
Upon arrival in "Bloom" we were given a tour by President Alan Dickens and Ezanne Leach and a wonderful opportunity to view the whole of the City from Naval Hill. There can be few Cities in the World where you can see a 360 degree vista of the town. The initial impressions were certainly backed up by the hospitality and effort that has gone into our visit. This is even more remarkable given the considerable changes to our programme that the Club and Ezanne had made at my request at short notice. Thank you all, this was much appreciated by the team.
I spent Thursday with Richard Marston, a stockbroker and club member and we spent an interesting day contrasting the differences and in many cases the similarities between the UK and South Africa. Whilst this may be awfully boring to non financials it showed the opportunities facing South African Corporates, many of which have listings on both the Johannesburg and other Stock Exchange. Richard even gave me some"buy recommendations" and these are available(for a small fee of course!!)
We carried on our discussion over lunch at a restaurant at a new shopping development called Waterside and whilst the overall idea reminded me of the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading, it was rather warmer sitting outside than at home!
I later discovered that Natasha was doing her vocational visit in one of the stores within the development and was also being regally entertained to lunch in an even better venue than mine.
On driving me back to my hosts Richard gave me a tour of some of the residential areas and in common with other areas that we have seen, there are some truly wonderful houses with pools tennis court etc. On enquiring with Richard of the prices, he thought that the largest house we saw would sell for about 2-3 million Rand. Seems a lot but if you use say 10Rand to the Pound that would buy a semi detached in Reading! Thanks Richard for your courtesy and a most interesting day.
Friday was spent with Jannie de Wit who is a financial adviser with Absa(part of the Barclays Group) and Jimmie Fouie who is a banker. I sat in on a meeting that Jannie had arranged with a client of his that ran a Wimpey Franchise, the meeting mainly to discuss the clients will arrangements and Dread Disease cover. Yes I know the latter sounds awful and no, it was not given that name because of my attendance. I pointed out to both that in the UK we call it Critical Illness cover, which whilst still sounding slightly off-putting is I think less intimidating.
We went back to the Bank to pick up Jimmie and then travelled to Tromsburg to visit a farmer that Absa had lent 5million Rand to purchase another farm. He now has 20,000 hectares, some 7000 sheep and the income from the wool alone produces income of 1.6million Rand per annum. Whilst there they were shearing the sheep for which the shearers are paid 5Rand per animal. They suggested I have a go but declined as I don't think Rotary's Insurance would cover my incompetence at harming the animal as opposed to actually shearing. However as I was later to discover most of the discussion was in Afrikaans, so I couldn't interfere with the rates being charged(perhaps just as well).
Lunch was taken in a small town prior to our next meeting and consisted of a coke and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps. See how bankers have had to cut back post the credit crunch!! We then travelled to see two brothers who had also received the Banks agreement for a facility of 4.5million Rand to bid at auction for another farm. Whilst the meeting was also conducted in Afrikaans the brothers were quite keen to sell me their farm for sterling! It didn't take me too long to decline their kind offer.
It was a long but very enjoyable and interesting day and my thanks to both Jannie and Jimmie for allowing me to join them.
Saturday started with a tour of the local farmers market which was well supported and gave me an opportunity of helping the local economy, although what it will do to my luggage allowance is another matter. Perhaps I could save 5 kilos by leaving my camcorder although that will deny me the opportunity of leaving it to a museum .
The afternoon was spent on another vocational "visit" to Bloom Golf Course with Herman Leach and two friends. Great afternoon but the only thing that can be said of my play was a 40 foot putt for a birdie.Unfortunately it is not recorded on video. However it was a surreal experience to almost have to have a caddie whilst playing and thus someone to give you every club and clean your ball! However some things are the same the world over and the usual amount of time was spent at the 19th. My thanks to Herm for organizing this vocational course.
Although the team have a free day tomorrow before leaving for Bethlehem, considerable thanks go to The Rotary Club of Bloomfontein and our individual hosts for a truly memorable stay.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Vocational Visit – Grey College, Bloemfontein. The Team.
On Friday Morning the team had the privilege of been shown round the impressive facilities of the historical Grey College. The headmaster, Mr Volsteed, took us on a personal tour through the extensive grounds and teaching facilities which gave us a brief insight into the history of the college and the part it plays in educating South African youth yet instilling in them the importance of previous scholars and their contributions. Educational systems in South Africa and the UK were discussed with Mr Volsteed as the tour continued and the museum provided us with an indication of how proud the college is of it’s past whilst also looking towards the future.
Grey College is the oldest school north of the Gariep River and third oldest in South Africa. The school was officially opened in January 1859 after the then Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir George Grey, visited the new Republic of the Orange Free State and donated a sum of money towards the establishment of an institution for higher education.
Grey College has produced more than 90 National players in Rugby, Athletics, Swimming, Squash, Rowing, Soccer, Cricket, Hockey, Diving, Cycling and Fencing. This alone shows the elite nature of Grey College and their commitment towards producing well rounded individuals who are not only academically well equipment but ones who can adjust themselves under all circumstances at all times. For further information please visit www.gc.co.za
Grey College is the oldest school north of the Gariep River and third oldest in South Africa. The school was officially opened in January 1859 after the then Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir George Grey, visited the new Republic of the Orange Free State and donated a sum of money towards the establishment of an institution for higher education.
Grey College has produced more than 90 National players in Rugby, Athletics, Swimming, Squash, Rowing, Soccer, Cricket, Hockey, Diving, Cycling and Fencing. This alone shows the elite nature of Grey College and their commitment towards producing well rounded individuals who are not only academically well equipment but ones who can adjust themselves under all circumstances at all times. For further information please visit www.gc.co.za
Vocational Visit – Free State Sports Science Institute, Bloemfontein. Steffan Thomas
Sports Rehabilitation @ FSSSI
Free State Sports Science Institute Weights Room
The Free State Sports Science Institute (FSSSI) has been operational for over four years now and services the needs of provincial sports athletes. The FSSSI is government funded, whilst also working in close conjunction with sports federations to contribute towards the running costs. This intuitive facility provides a free service to these athletes to test, train, condition, and in many cases rehabilitate them to help them achieve their sporting goals and aspirations.
The FSSSI is managed by Jan du Toit whilst the day to day running of the facility is overseen by 5 sports scientists, a biokineticist’s and an additional 3 personal trainers that specialize in specific sports to guide athletes through their conditioning. The FSSSI can be classed as a multi sport facility as during my two days there I observed, interacted and tested athletes from a wide range of sports varying from tennis, table tennis and sprinters to footballers (soccer as they call it), volleyball players and some extremely well built 17 year old rugby players!
The facility was a pleasant surprise, as it was such a well equipped facility that was free to athletes, is funded through the government and sports federation collaboration with staff that are elite in their field and are committed to the athlete’s future.
The head Sports Scientist Sondja, gave up her valuable time over the two days to plan me out a program to enable me to expose my self to a range of different training techniques, injury rehabilitation, advanced testing procedures and team meetings which involved discussing possible chances for improvement in the facility through the introduction of new training/rehabilitation procedures.
During my time at FSSSI I was made to feel part of the team and was integrated into the daily routines of the sports scientists and trainers whilst Hannelia, FSSSI’s biokineticist, also went out of her way to involve me in a hamstring and rotator cuff injury analysis and specific rehabilitation training program. Hannelia also involved me in the gait analysis of several athletes which was undertaken in the institutes ‘blue’ room. Literally a dark blue room which had advanced equipment to analyse body movements (biomechanics) and athletes gait (their walking pattern) through the use of pin pointing areas on the athletes body and then asking them to mimic performances whilst cameras and a specifically designed computer program analysed the movements. Two procedures that I was both intrigued and challenged to be a part of.
As the days moved on, they even had confidence in me to ask for my opinions during team meetings. One meeting in particular discussed the introduction of new training/rehabilitation procedures such as training athletes with Ozone Therapy. A therapy procedure which was quoted as being “Supercharged Oxygen” and was administered through limb bagging or booting, ozone gas sauna’s or autohemotherapy (intravenous injections). A therapy which claims to increase the amount of oxygen the athlete’s body receives, but in my opinion was just an advanced form of blood doping. A view that was also shared with the Sports Scientists throughout the team discussion. It was comforting to know we shared the same views.
The two days I spent at the FSSSI, gave me chance to experience the passion South Africa has towards committing top quality testing, training, rehabilitation and conditioning to up coming athletes. The staff showed professionalism towards developing and conditioning new young talent that others can learn from and is something that I will take back with me to England.
For further information please see:
www.srsa.gov.za/PageMaster.asp?ID=93
The FSSSI is managed by Jan du Toit whilst the day to day running of the facility is overseen by 5 sports scientists, a biokineticist’s and an additional 3 personal trainers that specialize in specific sports to guide athletes through their conditioning. The FSSSI can be classed as a multi sport facility as during my two days there I observed, interacted and tested athletes from a wide range of sports varying from tennis, table tennis and sprinters to footballers (soccer as they call it), volleyball players and some extremely well built 17 year old rugby players!
The facility was a pleasant surprise, as it was such a well equipped facility that was free to athletes, is funded through the government and sports federation collaboration with staff that are elite in their field and are committed to the athlete’s future.
The head Sports Scientist Sondja, gave up her valuable time over the two days to plan me out a program to enable me to expose my self to a range of different training techniques, injury rehabilitation, advanced testing procedures and team meetings which involved discussing possible chances for improvement in the facility through the introduction of new training/rehabilitation procedures.
During my time at FSSSI I was made to feel part of the team and was integrated into the daily routines of the sports scientists and trainers whilst Hannelia, FSSSI’s biokineticist, also went out of her way to involve me in a hamstring and rotator cuff injury analysis and specific rehabilitation training program. Hannelia also involved me in the gait analysis of several athletes which was undertaken in the institutes ‘blue’ room. Literally a dark blue room which had advanced equipment to analyse body movements (biomechanics) and athletes gait (their walking pattern) through the use of pin pointing areas on the athletes body and then asking them to mimic performances whilst cameras and a specifically designed computer program analysed the movements. Two procedures that I was both intrigued and challenged to be a part of.
As the days moved on, they even had confidence in me to ask for my opinions during team meetings. One meeting in particular discussed the introduction of new training/rehabilitation procedures such as training athletes with Ozone Therapy. A therapy procedure which was quoted as being “Supercharged Oxygen” and was administered through limb bagging or booting, ozone gas sauna’s or autohemotherapy (intravenous injections). A therapy which claims to increase the amount of oxygen the athlete’s body receives, but in my opinion was just an advanced form of blood doping. A view that was also shared with the Sports Scientists throughout the team discussion. It was comforting to know we shared the same views.
The two days I spent at the FSSSI, gave me chance to experience the passion South Africa has towards committing top quality testing, training, rehabilitation and conditioning to up coming athletes. The staff showed professionalism towards developing and conditioning new young talent that others can learn from and is something that I will take back with me to England.
For further information please see:
www.srsa.gov.za/PageMaster.asp?ID=93
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Our time in Lesotho
Rondavels 
Mohale Dam
The Lesotho Hat
Apologies if this is a little out of date, but we have been without internet access in Lesotho for 5 days...so here goes for a long update! Hope you're ready!
Friday 6th November
Having left our comfort blankets in Queenstown, we travelled across the border in to Lesotho, to their capital Maseru where new challenges and an initial culture shock awaited us! This began with a confrontation at the border between Sarah and a South African Police Officer who decided that she wanted to fight him! Fortunately, the gun strapped across his chest was enough to persuade her not to pursue this! Although the team were very supportive, 50 metres behind her.... waiting for Geoff to persuade the officials to let him through.
We were warmly greeted at Mimmos/ Maseru Club by our hosts, the Rotary Club of Maseru, a fantastically diverse group of people from a range of different backgrounds - a contrast to previous clubs we had visited in South Africa. We were happy to get an early night after the long day travelling.
Saturday 7th November
Another early start in preparation for our first glance at what it actually meant to be in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, with a trip in to the mountains to Mohale Dam. The journey alone was interesting with Tash, Sarah and Steff wedged in the back of the car, whilst Rotarian Jack navigated the significant number of hairpin bends as we ascended the mountain. Steff managed to burn off some of the calories (meat) he has consumed over the last 2 weeks with this strenuous core stability muscle exercise!!
The views were stunning and we had a glimpse of rural life in Lesotho with the rondavels and self sufficient farming community. Mohale Dam was quite a sight and had had a significant impact on the local community with villages being resettled and graves relocated in order to make way for this project which is fundamental for the economic stability of Lesotho - they sell water to South Africa! On the way back to Maseru, Jack kept us entertained with a DVD of the best of Lesotho music and dance - further enquiries to be made in person to any member of the GSE team.
In the evening, Rotarian Jack hosted a splendid braai at his house with everyone contributing a dish - we certainly didn't go hungry!
Sunday 8th November
President Puleng and Rotarian Robert kindly took us out to one of the projects that Rotary are involved in. It was a school in the rural area outside of Maseru where there is no sanitation and as a result of Rotary support, the building of toilet and changing facilities for the 500 children that go there is now well under way. We were all a little surprised by the state of the classrooms and the general maintenance of the school, but the consolation is that children do have access to education.
We then headed over to the saving grace of the nation of Lesotho, Thaba Basiu (Mountain of the Night). There are a number of stories as to why and how this flat-topped hill got its name, but one revolves around the battle between the Basutos and the British who were unable to conquer this hill and hence, the King Moshoeshoe was able to maintain control of his kingdom. Beneath Thaba Basiu, there is a reconstructed Basuto village which is soon to be opened to tourists - one of the staff members at this village was able to give us a very interesting insight into traditional village life.
The day finished with a visit to Morija Museum and King Letsie III's private residence.
Monday 9th November
Rotarians Wanda and Kal took us to another project, called 'God's Love' orphanage, in which Rotary is heavily involved. We met Neo, the lady that runs the orphanage, which consists of 6 rooms including the kitchen, an unusable bathroom, and bedrooms and caters for 30 children aged between 0 months and 15 years old. All of us were touched by the children we met there. Tash managed to get many smiles on their faces with her camera work. Mike and Steff immediately took a shine to a gorgeous little girl called Palassa, approx 3 years old with crazy hair and a beautiful smile, whilst Sarah bumped into a little 14 month old boy crawling across the floor who at one week old was left for dead in a pig sty. Geoff met a very bright young guy who had just done very well in his school exams and was captain of the school football team. Thankfully, as a result of the work at this orphanage, all of these kids are now able to enjoy life and have some kind of future to look forward to.
The morning ended with a visit to a weaving workshop before we returned to Maseru for lunch. In the afternoon, Rotarian Kelebone organised for us to take a tour around Lesotho Flour Mill, where Mike almost had an opportunity to use his first aid skills as a worker had chopped off 2 of his fingers! To end the day, we joined Kelebone at the Lotti Brick Factory where he is MD.
Tuesday 10th November
Vocational Day - each team member to provide an update.
In the evening, it was time to give our presentation again to members from both of the clubs in Maseru, Rotary Clubs of Maseru and Maluti. It went down well again and was followed by some intriguing questions!!
Friday 6th November
Having left our comfort blankets in Queenstown, we travelled across the border in to Lesotho, to their capital Maseru where new challenges and an initial culture shock awaited us! This began with a confrontation at the border between Sarah and a South African Police Officer who decided that she wanted to fight him! Fortunately, the gun strapped across his chest was enough to persuade her not to pursue this! Although the team were very supportive, 50 metres behind her.... waiting for Geoff to persuade the officials to let him through.
We were warmly greeted at Mimmos/ Maseru Club by our hosts, the Rotary Club of Maseru, a fantastically diverse group of people from a range of different backgrounds - a contrast to previous clubs we had visited in South Africa. We were happy to get an early night after the long day travelling.
Saturday 7th November
Another early start in preparation for our first glance at what it actually meant to be in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, with a trip in to the mountains to Mohale Dam. The journey alone was interesting with Tash, Sarah and Steff wedged in the back of the car, whilst Rotarian Jack navigated the significant number of hairpin bends as we ascended the mountain. Steff managed to burn off some of the calories (meat) he has consumed over the last 2 weeks with this strenuous core stability muscle exercise!!
The views were stunning and we had a glimpse of rural life in Lesotho with the rondavels and self sufficient farming community. Mohale Dam was quite a sight and had had a significant impact on the local community with villages being resettled and graves relocated in order to make way for this project which is fundamental for the economic stability of Lesotho - they sell water to South Africa! On the way back to Maseru, Jack kept us entertained with a DVD of the best of Lesotho music and dance - further enquiries to be made in person to any member of the GSE team.
In the evening, Rotarian Jack hosted a splendid braai at his house with everyone contributing a dish - we certainly didn't go hungry!
Sunday 8th November
President Puleng and Rotarian Robert kindly took us out to one of the projects that Rotary are involved in. It was a school in the rural area outside of Maseru where there is no sanitation and as a result of Rotary support, the building of toilet and changing facilities for the 500 children that go there is now well under way. We were all a little surprised by the state of the classrooms and the general maintenance of the school, but the consolation is that children do have access to education.
We then headed over to the saving grace of the nation of Lesotho, Thaba Basiu (Mountain of the Night). There are a number of stories as to why and how this flat-topped hill got its name, but one revolves around the battle between the Basutos and the British who were unable to conquer this hill and hence, the King Moshoeshoe was able to maintain control of his kingdom. Beneath Thaba Basiu, there is a reconstructed Basuto village which is soon to be opened to tourists - one of the staff members at this village was able to give us a very interesting insight into traditional village life.
The day finished with a visit to Morija Museum and King Letsie III's private residence.
Monday 9th November
Rotarians Wanda and Kal took us to another project, called 'God's Love' orphanage, in which Rotary is heavily involved. We met Neo, the lady that runs the orphanage, which consists of 6 rooms including the kitchen, an unusable bathroom, and bedrooms and caters for 30 children aged between 0 months and 15 years old. All of us were touched by the children we met there. Tash managed to get many smiles on their faces with her camera work. Mike and Steff immediately took a shine to a gorgeous little girl called Palassa, approx 3 years old with crazy hair and a beautiful smile, whilst Sarah bumped into a little 14 month old boy crawling across the floor who at one week old was left for dead in a pig sty. Geoff met a very bright young guy who had just done very well in his school exams and was captain of the school football team. Thankfully, as a result of the work at this orphanage, all of these kids are now able to enjoy life and have some kind of future to look forward to.
The morning ended with a visit to a weaving workshop before we returned to Maseru for lunch. In the afternoon, Rotarian Kelebone organised for us to take a tour around Lesotho Flour Mill, where Mike almost had an opportunity to use his first aid skills as a worker had chopped off 2 of his fingers! To end the day, we joined Kelebone at the Lotti Brick Factory where he is MD.
Tuesday 10th November
Vocational Day - each team member to provide an update.
In the evening, it was time to give our presentation again to members from both of the clubs in Maseru, Rotary Clubs of Maseru and Maluti. It went down well again and was followed by some intriguing questions!!
Out & About with the Lesotho Mounted Police Service - Sarah Poolman
I was not expecting to be able to get out with the Lesotho Mounted Police Service, so when Kellebone told me that I would be spending the day with them in Maseru, i was both intrigued and excited.
I started the day at the Police Headquarters in the centre of Maseru, where I met Insp Thosa, a female officer specialising in child abuse and domestic violence, and a trooper who worked on the Diamonds and Drugs Squad. I was interested in knowing about crime generally in Lesotho and the priorities for the LMPS, so we spent some time talking about the key issues that they are facing. They provided some recent crime statistics for me, some of which prove to be very interesting reading. Between July and September 2009, there have been 55 armed robberies, 28 murders, 435 burglaries in Maseru Urban area alone - the city is made up of 300,000 population. This gives an indication of the challenge that this small country is facing in terms of crime and, as i was about to find out, the challenge is even greater considering the resources and technology that the LMPS has available to it.
In addition to the above challenges, there are also significant problems around child abuse, neglect and abandonment, human trafficking and theft of livestock which then often leads to vigilantism and contributes to the number of murders.
Before leaving HQ, i was able to talk to detectives in 'Alien Control' (Immigration) and Fraud. The detectives in the fraud dept were tearing their hair out over ATM fraud, which was a big issue in the UK a number of years ago and i was able to advise them on how we had worked with the banks on reducing this type of crime and how our forensic teams had assisted us with detecting some of these crimes. This was before I was advised that their forensic dept consisted of one small office down the corridor!
Having shared some of the our common experiences, i went to Maseru Central Police Station, a dilapidated building, constructed by the British and still with the trademark blue light outside the front door. There i witnessed the provision for victims of child abuse and domestic violence and was thankful for the huge progress made in the UK in this area over the last decade. There was no furniture, no equipment and i was left wondering how conducive this environment was to the type of incidents and abuse they were dealing with on a daily basis.
I then left the city to experience policing out in the rural areas and headed out to the HQ for the Maseru Rural district. There i met the Senior Superintendent Seturumane and we discussed his priorities and his strategies for tackling them. He referred to the LMPS Strategic Plan 2009-12. Having been involved in the Strategic Plan for Thames Valley Police 2008-11, i was keen to have a look at theirs. Amongst the normal themes of reduction of crime, detection of offences and apprehension of offenders, a key priority for the LMPS was to reduce the prevalence of HIV. I naively asked how the police could assist in reducing HIV throughout Lesotho, only to be told that it was within the LMPS that this issue had to be tackled. They now have education and counselling sessions for police officers in an effort to raise awareness of this disease, break down some of the myths and curtail its spread. The fact that this is a key priority for the LMPS demonstrates the extent of the problem around HIV and AIDS in this part of the world.
The Senior Superintendent was honest with me about the problems facing Lesotho, so much so that i thought the list would never end. He was very proud to tell me about a pilot that had been set up called Community Policing, consisting of community consultation, providing greater accessibility and visibility which is similar to neighbourhood policing in the UK. However, due to lack of resources and infrastructure, they have not been able to implement this across the country and when i asked how long it would take to implement, thinking maybe 2-3 years, i was told, maybe 10-15 years, reminding me that i was in Africa! We often laugh about 'Africa Time', but when it comes to core services to the community, it no longer seems so amusing.
Finally, i was able to visit one of the orphanages with Insp Nepo where abandoned children or orphans are taken. The Lesotho Child Counselling Trust with sponsorship from a number of companies was a good example of what can be achieved to assist these children, but it could only house 18 children and it was full. Insp Nepo told me that the majority of the orphanages are now full and that by December, there would be a severe shortage of places for these children. We discussed the provisions in the UK and the use of foster parents, but unfortunately, there just isn't the money to support such a system here in Lesotho.
Despite all of the problems, the police officers seemed to be committed to what they were doing and always had smiles on their faces, indicative of the resilience of this small country. It was yet again an eye opener, and my thanks go out to those people who made it possible and who were so honest with me. I wish the LMPS all the luck in achieving its strategic plan!
I started the day at the Police Headquarters in the centre of Maseru, where I met Insp Thosa, a female officer specialising in child abuse and domestic violence, and a trooper who worked on the Diamonds and Drugs Squad. I was interested in knowing about crime generally in Lesotho and the priorities for the LMPS, so we spent some time talking about the key issues that they are facing. They provided some recent crime statistics for me, some of which prove to be very interesting reading. Between July and September 2009, there have been 55 armed robberies, 28 murders, 435 burglaries in Maseru Urban area alone - the city is made up of 300,000 population. This gives an indication of the challenge that this small country is facing in terms of crime and, as i was about to find out, the challenge is even greater considering the resources and technology that the LMPS has available to it.
In addition to the above challenges, there are also significant problems around child abuse, neglect and abandonment, human trafficking and theft of livestock which then often leads to vigilantism and contributes to the number of murders.
Before leaving HQ, i was able to talk to detectives in 'Alien Control' (Immigration) and Fraud. The detectives in the fraud dept were tearing their hair out over ATM fraud, which was a big issue in the UK a number of years ago and i was able to advise them on how we had worked with the banks on reducing this type of crime and how our forensic teams had assisted us with detecting some of these crimes. This was before I was advised that their forensic dept consisted of one small office down the corridor!
Having shared some of the our common experiences, i went to Maseru Central Police Station, a dilapidated building, constructed by the British and still with the trademark blue light outside the front door. There i witnessed the provision for victims of child abuse and domestic violence and was thankful for the huge progress made in the UK in this area over the last decade. There was no furniture, no equipment and i was left wondering how conducive this environment was to the type of incidents and abuse they were dealing with on a daily basis.
I then left the city to experience policing out in the rural areas and headed out to the HQ for the Maseru Rural district. There i met the Senior Superintendent Seturumane and we discussed his priorities and his strategies for tackling them. He referred to the LMPS Strategic Plan 2009-12. Having been involved in the Strategic Plan for Thames Valley Police 2008-11, i was keen to have a look at theirs. Amongst the normal themes of reduction of crime, detection of offences and apprehension of offenders, a key priority for the LMPS was to reduce the prevalence of HIV. I naively asked how the police could assist in reducing HIV throughout Lesotho, only to be told that it was within the LMPS that this issue had to be tackled. They now have education and counselling sessions for police officers in an effort to raise awareness of this disease, break down some of the myths and curtail its spread. The fact that this is a key priority for the LMPS demonstrates the extent of the problem around HIV and AIDS in this part of the world.
The Senior Superintendent was honest with me about the problems facing Lesotho, so much so that i thought the list would never end. He was very proud to tell me about a pilot that had been set up called Community Policing, consisting of community consultation, providing greater accessibility and visibility which is similar to neighbourhood policing in the UK. However, due to lack of resources and infrastructure, they have not been able to implement this across the country and when i asked how long it would take to implement, thinking maybe 2-3 years, i was told, maybe 10-15 years, reminding me that i was in Africa! We often laugh about 'Africa Time', but when it comes to core services to the community, it no longer seems so amusing.
Finally, i was able to visit one of the orphanages with Insp Nepo where abandoned children or orphans are taken. The Lesotho Child Counselling Trust with sponsorship from a number of companies was a good example of what can be achieved to assist these children, but it could only house 18 children and it was full. Insp Nepo told me that the majority of the orphanages are now full and that by December, there would be a severe shortage of places for these children. We discussed the provisions in the UK and the use of foster parents, but unfortunately, there just isn't the money to support such a system here in Lesotho.
Despite all of the problems, the police officers seemed to be committed to what they were doing and always had smiles on their faces, indicative of the resilience of this small country. It was yet again an eye opener, and my thanks go out to those people who made it possible and who were so honest with me. I wish the LMPS all the luck in achieving its strategic plan!
Vocational Visit – Kick 4 Life, Lesotho.Steffan Thomas
What a small world! I travel half way across the planet, and get introduced to a very passionate man who is one of the founders of Kick 4 Life Project in Lesotho….and find that our paths have crossed on a previous occasion at Southampton Football Club 10 years ago. Not only that, but I also find out that his wife, who was also working on the project, comes from the same home town as me! They must breed passionate people on the south coast, as that’s exactly the feeling I got from Peter Fleming about the Kick 4 life Project!
The project was founded in 2005 by brothers Peter and Steve Fleming and they have since focused their efforts in Lesotho in southern Africa. The K4L project delivers a range of program’s focused on tackling HIV by providing sports-based health education, voluntary testing, life-skills development and support into education and employment. With Lesotho having the third highest HIV prevalence in the world and where hundreds of thousands of children have been orphaned by the disease, K4L is stepping up to the plate and linking sport, interaction and education.
After spending the time with Peter, it became apparent to me that this was a project that could literately change lives through education and awareness. High profile names such as Fabio Capello, David Beckham and Prince Harry have all stepped forward to show their support and involved themselves in more than just observing, with all of them taking an active role to promote the project. Peter and his colleagues took me through the specially designed curriculum that encompassed key messages that would education people about the stigma of HIV, the risks associated with HIV and abstinence whilst also building in other valuable life messages such as social skills, handling peer pressure, decision making & consequences and basic social values. It is a curriculum that really opened my eyes as to how sport and interaction can be used to deliver a simple message, but with maximum impact.
To put the project into perspective, take a look over the follow facts:
Through the project, more than 6,000 have been tested for HIV so far and more than 250 have been referred to live saving treatment. 98.5% of those found to be HIV+ at K4L are now on ARV treatment or receiving relevant health care. The K4L project has a gender involvement ratio of 51% men to 49% women.
Facts that I found inspiring in the fight against HIV and AIDS and facts that made me realise that sport can be used in more ways than we care to imagine and can truly have the potential to save lives. Peter and his brother Steve (who I hope to set up a meeting with on my return to the UK) have showed me that a simple idea can be embraced by the smallest of countries, the biggest of stars, the youngest people and be successful, meaningful and impact on some of the worlds most disadvantaged people.
Many thanks to Peter for his time and thanks to Meg (you know who you are) for setting up the opportunity for me.For more information visit - www.kick4life.org
The project was founded in 2005 by brothers Peter and Steve Fleming and they have since focused their efforts in Lesotho in southern Africa. The K4L project delivers a range of program’s focused on tackling HIV by providing sports-based health education, voluntary testing, life-skills development and support into education and employment. With Lesotho having the third highest HIV prevalence in the world and where hundreds of thousands of children have been orphaned by the disease, K4L is stepping up to the plate and linking sport, interaction and education.
After spending the time with Peter, it became apparent to me that this was a project that could literately change lives through education and awareness. High profile names such as Fabio Capello, David Beckham and Prince Harry have all stepped forward to show their support and involved themselves in more than just observing, with all of them taking an active role to promote the project. Peter and his colleagues took me through the specially designed curriculum that encompassed key messages that would education people about the stigma of HIV, the risks associated with HIV and abstinence whilst also building in other valuable life messages such as social skills, handling peer pressure, decision making & consequences and basic social values. It is a curriculum that really opened my eyes as to how sport and interaction can be used to deliver a simple message, but with maximum impact.
To put the project into perspective, take a look over the follow facts:
Through the project, more than 6,000 have been tested for HIV so far and more than 250 have been referred to live saving treatment. 98.5% of those found to be HIV+ at K4L are now on ARV treatment or receiving relevant health care. The K4L project has a gender involvement ratio of 51% men to 49% women.
Facts that I found inspiring in the fight against HIV and AIDS and facts that made me realise that sport can be used in more ways than we care to imagine and can truly have the potential to save lives. Peter and his brother Steve (who I hope to set up a meeting with on my return to the UK) have showed me that a simple idea can be embraced by the smallest of countries, the biggest of stars, the youngest people and be successful, meaningful and impact on some of the worlds most disadvantaged people.
Many thanks to Peter for his time and thanks to Meg (you know who you are) for setting up the opportunity for me.For more information visit - www.kick4life.org
Friday, 6 November 2009
Geoff Poland Team Leader
For those who know of my high level computer skills the fact that I have managed to get this far is incredible. So thanks to Steff for giving me an idiots guide to blogging.
Whilst the team may be thinking that my vocational visits have only been with my host Paul Strutt to Queenstown Golf Club!! (although we have visited the club house but purely of course for meeting local business people) I was very honoured to spend an hour and a half with Mzwabantu Dapula the Executive Mayor of Lukhanji which is the province which covers Quuesnstown.
The Mayor is very different to the UK in that he is a paid official and has greater Executive power than his UK counterpart. He explained the difficulties facing the province, which is principally unemployment and some of the ideas that he has for resolving the issue.
In addition to the Mayor Paul has taken me to various businesses and as is symptomic with South Africa everybody is very warm and welcoming.
DG Terry the team are working superbly and giving a great impact on everyone that they meet.
My thanks to Bruce and all his colleagues for your superb hospitality, your warmth will stay with us all for ever. Au revoiur, I am sure that some of us will be back
For those who know of my high level computer skills the fact that I have managed to get this far is incredible. So thanks to Steff for giving me an idiots guide to blogging.
Whilst the team may be thinking that my vocational visits have only been with my host Paul Strutt to Queenstown Golf Club!! (although we have visited the club house but purely of course for meeting local business people) I was very honoured to spend an hour and a half with Mzwabantu Dapula the Executive Mayor of Lukhanji which is the province which covers Quuesnstown.
The Mayor is very different to the UK in that he is a paid official and has greater Executive power than his UK counterpart. He explained the difficulties facing the province, which is principally unemployment and some of the ideas that he has for resolving the issue.
In addition to the Mayor Paul has taken me to various businesses and as is symptomic with South Africa everybody is very warm and welcoming.
DG Terry the team are working superbly and giving a great impact on everyone that they meet.
My thanks to Bruce and all his colleagues for your superb hospitality, your warmth will stay with us all for ever. Au revoiur, I am sure that some of us will be back
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