World Vision to Hand Over New Child-Friendly Facility to Lesotho Mounted Police Service
For Immediate Release
Date: 08 May 2025
World Vision International Lesotho to Hand Over New Child-Friendly Police Facility to Lesotho Mounted Police Service
Pitseng, Leribe, - In a bold step towards strengthening child protection systems and enhancing access to justice for children in Lesotho, World Vision International Lesotho will tomorrow, 09 May 2025 officially hand over a newly constructed Child-Friendly Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) Office to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in Pitseng, Leribe district.
The facility is designed to create a safe, confidential, and child-sensitive space where children who have experienced violence or abuse can report cases, receive support, and be interviewed with dignity and care. This initiative is part of World Vision’s broader commitment to transform CGPU offices across the country into welcoming supportive environments for children and protective environments that uphold children's rights and safety.
“Our goal is to ensure that no child suffers in silence,” says James Chifwelu, National Director of World Vision International Lesotho. “This child-friendly facility is more than just a building, but also a symbol of our collective commitment to protect children and uphold their rights in every part of the country.”
The handover ceremony will bring together key stakeholders including the Minister of local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Hon. Lebona Lephema, the Commissioner of Police, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, LMPS CGPU teams, members of the community and children. During the event, World Vision International Lesotho’s National Director will highlight major milestones achieved in partnership with the Government of Lesotho, LMPS, and partners in advancing child protection across the country.
These include improvements in infrastructure for child protection, increased support for child-sensitive case handling, and strengthened community-based reporting mechanisms. The event will also serve as an opportunity to showcase the progress made under strategic projects like the Citizen Voices Addressing Violence Against Children (CVAVAC) initiative that was funded by the European Union in Lesotho and the implementation of the National Child Protection Referral Pathways; a collaboration between the the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, UNICEF Lesotho and LMPS which aim to ensure that survivors of abuse receive timely support, and that perpetrators are held accountable.
“These investments are not only about physical buildings; they are about transforming the experience of children when they come into contact with justice and protection services,” said Motlatsi Taaka, Community Engagement and Sponsorship Plan Manager at World Vision International Lesotho. “Children must feel safe, heard, and supported, and these child-friendly facilities ensure just that. This is what a protective system should look like.”
The event marks an important step toward ensuring that no child is left behind in the fight against violence and exploitation in Lesotho. World Vision International Lesotho remains committed to working alongside government and civil society to build a nation where every child is free to thrive in safety and dignity.
Media and stakeholders in attendance will gain first-hand insight into these achievements and learn more about ongoing efforts to create a national child protection landscape that is responsive, accessible, and truly child-friendly.
ENDS.
Note to editor
For more information contact: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, lerato_brown@wvi.org +266 58911020
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.wvi.org/lesotho or follow us on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn