The United States of America (U.S.A) Embassy awarded about M400, 000 to three community groups, five primary schools and one secondary school at the ceremony held at the embassy premises on Thursday.

Grants were awarded to support projects that will help bring visible change in communities.

When handing over grants, the U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho, Mrs. Michele Bond said the U.S government and the American people support projects that have a real and immediate impact in all regions of Lesotho.

She said the intention is to support Lesotho's fight against HIV and AIDS and to promote sustainable economic development through Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Mrs. Bond added that Peace Corps volunteers have also committed their efforts to the education, health and development of Basotho for almost 50 years.

She therefore commended beneficiaries for volunteering to do their part to improve the basic conditions of their communities, stressing that they have a responsibility to make the projects successful.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Mrs. Matieho Thakholi thanked the US Embassy for the grants offered.

She pledged that they will use the money appropriately for the benefit of Basotho Children and the community.

Beneficiaries were drawn from Sefako Youth in Action Association, Immaculate Youth Club, Southern Mountains Association for Rural Transformation, Tjopa, St.John Tlali, St. James, Mount Tabor and Phoku Primary Schools and Hanger's Hope Secondary,

Grants awarded will among others be used to construct a set of ventilated pit latrines to improve sanitation conditions at a school in Mokhotlong, build two classrooms and renovate three others in Botha-Bothe, Berea and Maseru and to improve water infrastructure for 1,500 people in Qacha's Nek.

Source: LENA 26/01/2012