Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country - entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is a small country with a population of 1.8 million and is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,400 metres in elevation, and over 80% of the country lies above 1,800 metres!

Lesotho boasts one of the highest literacy rates in Africa investing over 12% of its GDP in education. Approximatly 85% of the population over 15 years of age is literate and female literacy, at nearly 95%, is higher than male literacy.

However, the Basotho people struggle to access vital services, such as healthcare, travel and educational resources. Approximately 40% of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

HIV/AIDS has had a devastating impact on Lesotho, the estimated prevalence of the disease is 30%. The 2010 UNAIDS report estimated that there were 130,000 orphans in the 10 districts of Lesotho due to AIDS-related illness.

There are an estimated 130,000 orphans (7% of population) living in Lesotho and this adds to an already burdened social structure.

The combination of poverty and the AIDS pandemic have had a devastating effect on families in Lesotho resulting in a new phenomenon of abandoned babies. Today babies in Lesotho continue to be abandoned - some in hospitals, others on hillsides, in ditches or in toilets. 

Others are orphaned or living with caretakers not able to meet their needs.  When these children come to the attention of staff at the Department of Social Welfare they require a quality facility where they can place these children.

*References: WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF