On September 6th, 2018, Chargé d'Affaires and Political Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Lesotho Mr. Song Changqing attended the ceremony of donating sanitary wear to girls from three schools in Butha-Buthe organized by the Hlokomela Banana (Caring for Girls) Program of Queen's Trust Fund. Her Majesty the Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso, Hon. Dr. Mahali Phamotse, the Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation as well as her deputy Hon. Rethabile Marumo, the District Administrator, the principals and students of the beneficiary schools also attended the event.
Her Majesty the Queen and Hon. Dr. Phamotse called on the whole society to care for girls and protect their rights and interests. They also applauded the donors including the Chinese Embassy in Lesotho for committing themselves in assisting the girls with their education.
Mr. Song said in his remarks that education is hope and dignity. It is the wisest investment and foundation of national development. The Chinese Embassy and Community in Lesotho have long been actively engaged in helping young Basotho for better education by donating bursaries and facilities, and will continue this endeavor within their capacity. He mentioned that the Prime Minister Right Hon. Dr. Motsoahae Thomas Thabane is currently attending the Beijing Summit of FOCAC (the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) and paying an official visit to China, which will surely uplift the China-Lesotho relations to a new level and bring greater benefit to the two peoples. Mr. Song also pledged on the spot that the Chinese Embassy will make a donation of 66,600 Maloti each year to the Queen's Trust Fund for the Program of Hlokomela Banana, to ensure 1000 girls in this country won't miss school due to lack of sanitary wear.
Media houses including LENA, LTV reported on the event.