WKKM on 2009 World Aids Day

by Thabang "TMS" Letela, KKM Coordinator

KKM is joining hands, joining hearts and joining heads with other organizations locally, regionally and globally in the commemoration of World AIDS Day (WAD) on 01/12/2009. The idea is to remember those who have died of AIDS, and those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

In Lesotho, a decision was made to rotate the WAD’s commemoration by district. This year, the day will be commemorated in Thaba- tseka District where KKM has members, some of whom are engaged in home-based care such as support groups which assist the infected and affected with among others, skills and inputs for crop, vegetable and small livestock production. KKM members will be among the multitudes that will commemorate the WAD.

The campaigning slogan for global WAD commemoration for the period 2001 to 2010 remains “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise”. This year’s WAD theme has been communicated as “Universal Access and Human Rights” while Lesotho’s theme is “Male Involvement in issues of HIV and AIDS”. This is mainly to strengthen the involvement of men as partners in the fight against HIV and AIDS, just as KKM is “Unity is Strength in the Fight against Poverty”.

For its part, KKM sees this year’s WAD commemoration as a precious moment to pause and give thanks for the opportunity in raising awareness among its members and their communities about the need and importance of producing their own foods by growing them in their fields and homestead gardens. There is mounting evidence, through observations and testimonies, that AIDS patients who grow their own vegetables and eat them fresh, react well and are better able to rebuild their strength than those that depend on hand outs and not–so-fresh vegetables.

In relation to the country’s theme, KKM urges men as leaders in the families and communities to double their efforts and be exemplary in the efforts to make families food secure with the ultimate goal of attaining food sovereignty through production and preservation of their own indigenous seeds and organic manure – a goal seemingly difficult to achieve under the present circumstances, but very realistic and achievable. Beyond WAD, KKM will keep the promise and continue to educate the people that food sovereignty for Lesotho is an ideal that every citizen should strive for.

Solidarity can be strengthened by everyone (government, NGOS, business folks, professionals, the clergy, rural and urban folks, - everyone) taking pride in producing food locally and stop eroding the economy of the country to other countries through purchasing of GMO seeds, chemical fertilizers, short lifespan livestock, etc.

At KKM, we are optimistic that in the subsequent WAD commemorations, there will be more messages of hope and testimonies than stories of hopelessness and despair.

Unity is Strength!

The Southern African Rural Women's Assembly

by Bridgette Hector, JH Companionship Facilitator

As a delegate attending The Southern African Rural Women’s Assembly I must say I was quite surprised by the courage of the Lesotho women who attended this conference. Since I have been serving as the CF for KKM I have always found the Lesotho women to be so very courteous and polite. When I am in Lesotho, I often have to lean in closely so that I can hear their beautiful soft voices. This was not the case at this conference of 200 rural female farmers. The Lesotho women were vociferous and dynamic as they shared their personal stories of being rural farmers in Lesotho.

The theme of this conference was WOMEN: GUARDIANS OF LAND, LOVE & LIFE and the attendees were asked to share their intimate feelings about that theme. The Basotho women were the first to present. One of them stood up, tossed her blanket (the traditional Lesotho garment) across her chest and began to speak. In no small manner she declared that the case for women farmers in Lesotho is very, very painful. She said that as farmers they are practically ignored by men and big businesses. In her words it’s as if the women are invisible.

Another Basotho woman stood up and said "we need help." She shared that so many of their husbands are overtaken by liquor. That it is almost impossible for the women to guard their land and lives because their husbands continuously waste their money on alcohol. Her voice seemed to crack when she told us of the many Basotho grandmothers who are tirelessly trying to raise their grandchildren, because their own kids have died to HIV/AIDS. She ended by saying "we have nothing. No land, no love, no life."

As the conference continued these women continued to engage invigorating conversations that pushed the delegates to be creative and to find ways that women could be a part of the decision making processes in their countries. My heart felt lighter as I witnessed Lesotho women engage in invigorating conversation.

Greater Power in Collaboration

by Bridgette Hector, JH Companionship Facilitator

Both Kapone Ke Matla (KKM) and Sisonke Masilwe Indlala (SMI) have each worked diligently in deciding which particular campaigns best suited their specific country needs. Though the two countries share borders they also have distinct socio-political issues. KKM is determinedly focused on developing a campaign that creates awareness about the dangers of GMOs. SMI is equally committed to push their campaign to promote greater land justice throughout South Africa. With such powerful force coming from each network it is no surprise that idea of collaboration would soon be raised.

Recently a very provocative question was posed to the coordinators of each network. Could the GMO fight be better served as a unified issue of both KKM and SMI? Both TMS (coordinator for KKM) and Phillemon (interim coordinator for SMI) thought this question intriguing enough to investigate. Each coordinator has affirmed that there may be great wisdom in this collaboration. They have both agreed to consult their perspective network members to gauge the possibility of such a collaboration.

SMI recently held their core team meeting in Bloemfontein. As the CF for both SMI and KKM I was asked to present SMI with a gift from the KKM network: Wonderful sporting caps with the KKM logo on front. These were the very caps that KKM members wore as the marched against GMOs. The caps read Promote Indigenous Seeds Discourage GMOs. The SMI team members were delighted. They accepted the gifts with gratitude as they began to contemplate the possibility of joint work with KKM.

Many thoughtful concerns were raised by SMI of what would be required in such an endeavor, though leaning toward the collaboration, no final decision was made. KKM will be meeting in the second week of December; they too will consider the possibility of collaboration. Both TMS and Phillemon will meet in following months to possibly join in what could be a powerful collaboration that further enhances the campaign against GMOs.

The Reality of Joining Hands

by Bridgette Hector, JH Companionship Facilitator

In my opinion, one of the most powerful aspects of Joining Hands Against Hunger is the reality that there are many hands participating in each campaign. It is as if the campaign is being held up by many different compassionate persons who want to see the campaign succeed. Many hands also often equate to many opinions. Many opinions can eventually produce greater creativity. So as the CF when I am serving as the liaison between these joining hands I am often amazed by the sincerity of all involved.

This sincerity is clearly visible to me when I think of the energy and expectations that are expended as the network in Lesotho deliberates upon the possible visitation of it’s US partner network from Los Ranchos, California. The coordination and joint planning of activities between these two networks is indeed one of the primary criteria that the PHP (Presbyterian Hunger Program) examines yearly.

The sincerity is also demonstrated in the extremely reflective questions that each of the networks raise about the realities of GMOs. It is clear that all of the hands involved in the campaign want to be led by integrity and diligence.

It is through these two networks that thorough questions and conversations are evoked concerning GMOs and their possible devastating impact on humanity. It is through the joining hands of these networks that farmers throughout Lesotho are being empowered to make critical decisions concerning their farming options. It is also through this reality of joining hands that persons in Los Ranchos, California, are becoming more aware of the GMO issues facing their communities in America.

A Presbytery Book Study on GMO's

Spurred by KKM's Program Theme "Discourage GMO's to Promote Indigenous Seeds", Los Ranchos JH Team members started to educate themselves by studying the chapter in Christian Environmental Ethics, by James B. Martin-Schramm and Robert L. Stivers, which deals specifically with issues of GMO seed development and use in Africa. Gathering sufficient information and knowledge they will present an educational session to the Presbytery of Los Ranchos later this year, explaining the impact of GMO on our mission partners around the world.