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National Coalition of Lesotho works Introduction The NGOC is a unique umbrella body focusing on the rights of children in Lesotho. It is a non-profit making organisation registered under the Lesotho Societies Act of 1966 and was formed in 1998 following the political unrest in the country. Its purpose is to promote and protect children's rights in an co-coordinated manner by NGO's and partners concerned about the violation of children’s rights in the country. Primarily, the NGOC strives to create a non-abusive environment where children can grow and develop fully and holistically in view of their (human) rights. The main benefit for members is to share information and technical support. A wide range of experiences and skills have been brought together and are exchanged amongst members to benefit the entire coalition. The NGOC is co-coordinated from the capital Maseru. Its mandate is to ensure that children’s rights are implemented country wide. To this end, there are over fifty (50) organisations that are registered members of the NGOC. These members assist and support each other through four (4) sub-group structures each focusing on specific issues namely; Disability, Education, Health/HIV and AIDS and Child Protection. By its nature and its sub-group structure, the NGOC services are intended to reach all children in different circumstances of need. The NGOC Structure Relationship with government Currently, the Ministry of Education and Training, Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Local Government and Department of Youth Affairs work hand in hand with NGOC on issues of children. NGOC is represented on committees and task forces initiated by these government ministries and partners. Context The majority of children still live in poverty and below the poverty line. Access to basic services remains a serious concern for some children. Despite the introduction of Free Primary Education in the country, many still cannot access education for a number of reasons. There are no strict measures in place to ensure that all children are indeed receiving education wherever they are. In recent years, the HIV and AIDS pandemic, unemployment and poverty seem to be contributing to the increase of orphaned children and other vulnerable children in the country. Drought and soil erosion have led to severe food crisis and the country is undergoing insurmountable food insecurity. The continuing drought over the last few years has exacerbated the food situation where even households who could afford seasonal harvest can no longer produce sufficient food for their own families. Child Participation
to
monitor and implement the
Convention on
the Rights of the Child nationally in
Lesotho
The Patron of NGOC is Her Royal Highness Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso. The NGOC is governed by the Executive Committee composed of seven (7) members. It is elected into its positions by the entire membership at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every two (2) years.
The NGOC currently has a good reputation and enjoys recognition by government, development partners and children. This is indicated by the support the NGOC receives and the contribution government seeks from it on national initiatives and interventions pertaining to children.
The NGOC operates within the context of conscious efforts by government to deepen democracy as well as to engender its programmes. These developments related to children's issues seem to be getting into government’s agenda gradually creating more awareness and understanding of this population sector which consists more than 50% of the overall population. The SADC Workshop on OVC hosted by Lesotho in 2003 brought to light children's issues and the magnitude of their difficulties.
The leading principle of NGOC is not only to work for children of ages between 0 – 18 years but also to work with them. All efforts are made to ensure that children participate meaningfully in the design and planning of the projects that NGOC undertakes or is involved in. If children cannot participate in person in decision making processes, other creative ways are used to ensure inclusion of their voice in matters that pertain to them.