<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My Involvement&nbsp;</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">I was inspired to do the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge to feel as though I was making a contribution to a small country that needs it. Below are some of the problems Lesotho faces and a history of Dolen Cymru's relationship with this small country.</span></p> </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Dolen Cymru</strong></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong></strong></span>Dolen Cymru and its sister organisation in Lesotho, the Lesotho Wales Link was established over 25 years ago. Its purpose to foster greater understanding and friendship between two countries of similar size, each with two languages and an economy built on mining and agriculture.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"> The country has major health challenges, t<strong>he infant mortality rate (under 1) in 1990 was 80, and by 2008 it had fallen to 63 per 1,000 live births</strong>. <strong>Life expectancy at birth in 2008 was 45 years. HIV /AIDS is a major cause of the reduction in life expectancy</strong>. Dolen Cymru supports the strategic aims of the Lesotho Ministry of Health through staff training and support, exchanges and secondments of health professionals from Wales to Lesotho. There has been a continual flow of health professionals from Wales working in the Lesotho Health Service. Dolen has initiated links between All Wales HIV Network and Lesotho Network of People living with HIV/AIDS.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">In the years since its inception <strong>Dolen Cymru has facilitated over 160 school links with reciprocal teacher and pupil visits to both Countries</strong>. Dolen runs a Lesotho Teacher Placement Programme of 6 and 12-month teaching placements for teachers from Wales in schools in Lesotho. Dolen also funded a teacher at the primary school at Phelisanong in 2010 and supported Mamello as the Director. <strong>The development of the Library and Computer facility at Phelisanong are further examples of Dolen&rsquo;s support</strong>. For more info see&nbsp;<a style="color: #0000cc;" href="http://www.phelisanong.com/"><span style="color: black;">www.phelisanong.com</span></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Dolen has worked over many years with civil society groups in Wales and Lesotho these include partnerships, co-operatives and large voluntary organisations such as Mencap Cymru and the Lesotho Society for the Mentally Handicapped and also between churches and faith groups in both countries. In maternal health &ndash; <strong>The Tabernacle programme at Seifika clinic has been extended and a new birthing unit was opened with their funding during the last year.</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Challenge</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The Welsh Three Peaks challenge &nbsp;took place on September 17&nbsp;2011, scaling the highest mountains in North, Mid and South Wales. Starting from Pen y Pass, Snowdonia, &nbsp;the mighty Cadair Idris ( also in Snowdonia ) and finally Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons. A total distance of 20.35 miles and a total ascent of 9,397ft (2,864m) was achieved in under 24 hours, in pouring rain, hailstones and intense mist in the late night hours.&nbsp;</span></p> </span></p>