The idea behind this initiative is to increase our children’s awareness of needs in Lesotho and the ways in which they can make a difference to the lives of their peers at Mokoena School. Most of us realise how fortunate we are, especially compared to the children at the Mokoena School, many of whom are AIDS orphans. Simply by forgoing one or more party gifts our children can learn an important lesson about the lives and needs of others less fortunate and about their own ability to change things for the better.

For example the children at Mokoena School often lack school sweaters for the winter months (yes, it gets very cold in Lesotho). The $20 that a parent might spend on yet another birthday gift for an RPPS student could help keep a Mokoena student warm all winter. Or perhaps a party would raise $50 in total, enabling a Mokoena student to purchase school supplies for a year or buy a winter coat.

Mokoena School is located in the town of Butha Buthe in the northern hills of Lesotho. It has nearly 200 pupils in grades 1-7, of whom around 30 are orphans. There are six staff and a Principal. Priorities for the Mokoena Principal are to ensure that the children are adequately clothed and fed and that the school buildings are not falling down or leaking. In 2010 the Principal would like to install some new chalkboards in the classrooms to help the children learn.

To donate on-line:

• Click on the Donate Now button at the top of the page (you will go to CanadaHelps secure website for on-line charity giving)

• The amount you give is entirely up to you

• Select RPPS party giving from the drop-down menu of Fund/Designation and insert the party child’s name under `Dedications and Gift Options in honour of’

• You will receive an automatically-generated tax receipt from CanadaHelps

• You will also have the opportunity, through CanadaHelps, to send an e-card to the party host (if you know their email address)
  

To donate directly to Help Lesotho by cheque:

• Make cheque out to Help Lesotho

• In the Memo line write: RPPS birthday donation and the birthday child’s name
  Send to Help Lesotho, Keller Williams Ottawa Building 610 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 4E6

• Ensure your full name and address are included to receive a tax receipt for donations over $20. Your receipt will be mailed to you.

Here you can create your own personal donation certificate. This is not a tax certificate but something that you can keep for yourself or pass on to the birthday child to show that you have donated on their behalf. 
Click here for the donation certificate.

You can ask party guests to donate directly to Mokoena School through this website, or you can collect money at your party and send it directly to Help Lesotho yourself. (Help Lesotho, Keller Williams Ottawa Building 610 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 4E6).

If you want to include postcards asking for donations instead of gifts, you can download and print them here.