MEMBERS of the Penarth and District Lesotho Trust recently visited the landlocked African kingdom to see the progress being made there in projects supported by PADLT and its supporters. Here is their report from the trip...

THIS was more than a holiday as we were on a mission with a determination to further the work of the Penarth and District Lesotho Trust. We had inspirational, memorable and moving experiences and a great deal of fun as well.

There were 11 of us: Dil and Pat Samuel; Nigel Gibbs and his mother; Ann Davies; Keith Howells; Hannah Williams with Rosemary and Jeremy Dix; and Val and Colin Turner. We were nearly all retired teachers with Nigel Gibbs and Jeremy Dix giving us a medical involvement.

In TY Junior Academy the work PADLT is trying to do continues. We saw the completed dormitory with two lovely Mamas in charge where a hundred boys and girls sleep throughout the year as many are orphans.

The Mamas organise washing the clothes, which is done near the one tap that supplies the entire site. The whole area is on a slope and following heavy rain showers much of the top soil is washed away, leaving behind a very rocky surface which makes the laying of foundations for these buildings very difficult.

However, the building work continues and we saw the next block being constructed.

PADLT is now trying to extend its work and has encouraged a group to be set up in Lesotho called the TY and Peca District Wales Link. TYPDWL will find small projects which we in PADLT will try to support.

Colin Turner, retired lecturer in Barry College, was very impressed by a Skills Centre in TY which was giving opportunities for disadvantaged young men to acquire the skills of bricklaying and other trades.

Lesotho television heard of our visit and there were interviews in the Skills Centre and in TY Junior Academy. Nigel Gibbs made good contact with interested parties in TY Hospital which we hope will be developed further.

It is soul searching when you see such areas of difficulty and need, but it is most heart warming when you see you the relatively small amounts of money that PADLT acquires being so effectively used.

In an over-simplified example, the money raised in last year’s Fun Run plus the Fashion Show almost paid for the new dormitories which gave the children somewhere safe and dry to sleep.

The next events in the PADLT calender are the Fun Run in Cosmeston Park this Saturday, May 7 at 11am; and the Plant Sale in Stanwell Road Baptist Schoolroom on Saturday, May 21 at 2pm.

Details of the Plant Sale can be obtained from Howard England on 029 2070 0232.