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Rural women's cellphone project
01 January 2006
Country coordinator: Chaka Ntsane, RHVP Lesotho Country Co-ordinator
The RHVP-supported initiative to donate cell phones to rural women's groups for use in income generating activities was successfully completed on 31 August 2006 in Semonkong when the last cell phones were distributed to five local women's groups.
The initiative was sparked by Thulare-Eyking Agricultural Development Project and the Institute of Extra-Mural Studies of the National University of Lesotho were found. RHVP supported implementation by donating the phones which were given to organisations along an eco-tourism route from Maseru, via Thaba-Bosiu through Roma to Semonkong.
RHVP procured ten phones from Eco-net. The cell phones, loaded with air time, were distributed to four groups of women in agriculture attached to the Bishop Allard Vocational School in Maliele/St Michaels near Roma, one group at Nyako-soba in the foothills, and to five groups at Semonkong in the mountain areas.
Each women's group will borrow a share of the airtime to use in negotiating markets. The money will then be returned to a pool when profits are realised. The remaining airtime will be sold to members of the groups or members of the community for private use. This will enable the replenishment of the airtime and allow some profit that will be used to grow the enterprises. An ‘audit committee', composed of the chief, local councillor, a teacher and a student will manage each cell phone, monitoring use and accountability on a weekly basis. The audit committee will keep the group informed on a regular basis.
The initiative was launched on 9 August 2006, during internationally recognised month of women. During the first phase of the launch the women's groups had the opportunity to speak by cell phone to Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso and the Minister for Environment, Culture and Recreation Ms Lebohang Nts'inyi. Members of the press that were in attendance came from Catholic Radio, Radio Mo-Afrika, Radio Lesotho, Public Eye Newspaper and Moeletsi oa Basotho.
For more information contact Chaka Ntsane at
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