AM to visit Lesotho as part of moves to build links with National Assembly

Mike German AM is to visit Lesotho as part of moves to build strong links between the National Assembly and the Lesotho Parliament. During his visit, he will also be able to see first-hand the benefits of fundraising carried out by Cardiff school pupils. Mr German visited Molappo High School with a teacher from Cathays High School, Cardiff, on a previous fact-finding trip to Lesotho. When asked what would make a real difference to the school, the head's answer was: “cows".  Since then, Mr German and pupils from Cathays High haveraised £4,000,which the school is using to extend their Sustainable Agricultural Programme, to purchase cattle, a kraal and improve irrigation facilities.  The milk from the cows will generate a regular income to fund the many orphans who attend the school, having lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Mike German’s visit to Lesotho is sponsored by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Wales, with assistance from Dolen Cymru, an organisation set up to promote friendship and understanding between the people of Walesand the people of Lesotho, and the United Nations Development Programme HIV/Aids parliamentary support team.  During the visit, from September 30 to October 6, he will also be meeting the Lesotho Red Cross, as well as officials and members of the Lesotho Parliament. John Grimes, the National Assembly’s Acting Head of Committees, will also be visiting Lesotho to help provide training for clerks in Lesotho under a new partnership scheme. Mike German said: “Although Lesotho is a developing country with problems such as extreme poverty and widespread HIV/Aids, it is a parliamentary democracy with some similarities to Wales.  Dolen Cymru has been doing extremely valuable work, and we hope that Wales can play its part in the range of international assistance available to Lesotho. Our participation in the CPA has enabled us to develop a parliamentary link with Lesotho and offer our experience to a developing democracy. On a previous visit to Lesotho I was struck by the pride, spirit and optimism of the people and I was determined to try to encourage the Assembly to build stronger links. I am delighted that John will be accompanying me to share his expertise with Parliamentary staff in Lesotho, and I look forward to members and officials of the Lesotho Parliament visiting Wales.”