Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐋𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐃 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

The Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD), through the Gender and Disability in Practice
Project (GADIP II), is facilitating a series of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) for District Federations in Berea, Leribe, Mokhotlong, and Butha-Buthe.

These AGMs form part of the Organizational Capacity Building Grant aimed at strengthening governance, transparency, and accountability within District Federations that represent persons with disabilities at district and community levels.

Since March 2025, the four District Federations have been receiving targeted support under GADIP II to enhance their institutional systems, leadership structures, and programmatic delivery. As this support continues through November 2026, the AGMs mark a critical milestone in consolidating progress made and reinforcing democratic governance practices.

The meetings will provide an important platform for:
 Presentation and validation of annual organizational reports covering March 2025 to March 2026;
 Presentation and adoption of audited financial reports for the 2025/2026 financial year;
 Engagement of members in open dialogue, feedback, and decision-making processes;
 Strengthening transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation, particularly for persons with disabilities.

“The AGMs are not just a statutory requirement—they are a cornerstone of good governance and inclusive participation. They ensure that members are informed, engaged, and empowered to shape the direction of their organizations,” said Mr
Thaabe ‘Moso, LNFOD Advocacy and Human Rights Officer.

The AGMs will be conducted using participatory and inclusive approaches, including plenary presentations, open discussions, and facilitated dialogue to ensure meaningful involvement of all members. Accessibility measures will be implemented
to ensure that persons with disabilities can fully participate.

Through this initiative, LNFOD continues to advance its commitment to strengthening grassroots disability governance structures and promoting the rights, inclusion, and active participation of persons with disabilities across Lesotho.

LNFOD STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY 2026
13 June 2026

“Proudly In My Skin: Celebrating All Skin Tones”

The Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (LNFOD) joins the global community in marking International Albinism Awareness Day 2026 under the theme “Proudly In My Skin: Celebrating All Skin Tones.”

This year’s theme is a powerful call to action, one that shifts the narrative away from how persons with albinism look, and towards who they are: full human beings with rights, dignity, dreams, and an extraordinary capacity for leadership. The 2026 theme draws attention to how colour-based discrimination can affect dignity, safety, and mental wellbeing; and LNFOD stands firmly against every form of such discrimination.

LNFOD is proud to note that the highest leadership of our Federation is a woman with albinism, Mrs. Site Kinela. Her vision, courage, and commitment to the rights of all persons with disabilities in Lesotho is a living embodiment of this year’s theme. She leads not despite her skin, but wholly and proudly within it; and we celebrate her alongside every person with albinism across the ten districts.

The 2026 theme calls for a shift from seeing albinism mainly through appearance to recognising the full humanity, rights, and lived experiences of persons with albinism, and highlights how colour-based discrimination intersects with other forms of exclusion.  For LNFOD, this resonates deeply. Persons with albinism in Lesotho face a double burden; the stigma tied to their skin tone, and the barriers that come with disability. We are committed to confronting both.

Colour-based discrimination can appear in everyday ways that are often dismissed as harmless, prolonged staring, mocking comments, exclusion, bullying, stereotypes, or dehumanising language, yet these experiences can have lasting emotional and psychological effects, especially for children and young people developing their sense of identity and self-worth.  LNFOD calls on families, schools, communities, and government institutions to recognise and actively reject these behaviours.

On this day, LNFOD calls on all Basotho to embrace one another, to see past skin colour, to celebrate the richness of our diversity, and to build one united nation in which every person, regardless of the complexion they were born with, is safe, valued, and free.
Lesotho ke la rona kaofela.

The Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MGYSD), the Lesotho Disability Advisory Council (PWDAC), the Office of United Nations in Lesotho Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, and other key partners, commemorated World Assistive Technology Day 2026 through a national dialogue and advocacy event held under the theme: "𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮.”

The event sought to influence technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Lesotho to establish and operationalize orthopaedics and assistive technology workshops, thereby enhancing local production, maintenance, repair, and innovation of assistive devices.

Despite the presence of technical and vocational training institutions with relevant programmes and infrastructure, investment in integrating orthopaedics and assistive technology production into training systems remains limited. Consequently, opportunities for local innovation, skills development, employment creation, and sustainable assistive technology solutions continue to be underutilized.

The dialogue emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among government, development partners, educational institutions, and disability stakeholders to promote sustainable access to assistive technology across Lesotho.

The event was graced by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Hon. Pitso Lesaoana, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, Ms. Taija Kontinen-Sharp, and other distinguished guests and stakeholders committed to advancing disability inclusion and accessibility.



Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled - SAFOD Unlock The Everyday Lesotho Disability Advisory Council Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology Botswana Federation for the Disabled - BOFOD Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations - ZAFOD Lesotho Council Of NGOs Kutlong Centre For Hearing Kutlong Hearing Foundation

With just a few hours before , we call on the Government of Lesotho, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, and all stakeholders to strengthen efforts to improve access to Assistive Technology (AT) across the country.

Improving access to Assistive Technology in Lesotho is a powerful way to accelerate progress towards the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By ensuring that persons with disabilities, older persons, and individuals with functional limitations have access to appropriate assistive products and services, Lesotho can make significant strides in reducing poverty, improving health and well-being, enhancing access to quality education, promoting gender equality, reducing inequalities, creating opportunities for decent work, and building resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Expanding access to AT empowers individuals to participate fully in society, strengthens communities, and supports Lesotho's commitment to inclusive and sustainable development for all Basotho. As we mark World Assistive Technology Day, let us work together to ensure that no one is left behind.



Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled - SAFOD ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology Lesotho Disability Advisory Council Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons St Bernadette Resource Centre for the Blind Unlock The Everyday Lesotho Council Of NGOs Vodacom Lesotho

As we mark just a few hours before World Assistive Technology Day tomorrow, we spotlight the life-changing impact of hearing aids and the power of partnerships that make assistive technology accessible to those who need it most.

In this edition of our monthly newsletter, we highlight the collaboration between LNFOD Mokhotlong and Starkey Hearing Foundation, which is helping to improve access to hearing support services across Mokhotlong. Hearing aids are more than devices, they are tools of communication, inclusion, independence, and opportunity.

As we prepare to celebrate World Assistive Technology Day, this story reminds us that access to assistive technology can transform lives, strengthen communities, and ensure that no one is left behind. Together, we continue advocating for a world where every person can access the support they need to participate fully in society.



Unlock The Everyday Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled - SAFOD ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology Lesotho Disability Advisory Council Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons Lesotho Council Of NGOs

🚀𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐘!🚀

The wait is almost over!

On 4 June, we gather at Avani Lesotho to commemorate World Assistive Technology Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the life-changing technologies that empower people with disabilities to participate fully in education, employment, communication, and everyday life.

Assistive technology is more than innovation, it is a gateway to independence, dignity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Lets all shine a spotlight on solutions that are transforming lives and building a more accessible future for everyone.

Together, let's champion accessibility and ensure that no one is left behind.



Lesotho Disability Advisory Council Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons Lesotho Nursing Council UNICEF Lesotho Unlock The Everyday Mokhotlong Federation of Persons with Disabilities -MFPD ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled - SAFOD Zambia Airports Corporation Limited

LNFOD joins the nation in celebrating the 50th birthday of our esteemed Patron, Her Majesty Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso. 👑

We are grateful for Your Majesty's unwavering support and commitment to the dignity, rights, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Lesotho.

Happy 50th Birthday, Your Majesty! 🎉✨