Maseru, Aug. 18 — The campaign to raise funds for Mrs. ‘Makarabo Letsoela, a woman with growths on the skin around her eyes, has been reactivated following a successful fundraising drive for ‘Nete Leotlela, which covered most of his medical expenses.
Social media has been buzzing with appeals for financial assistance for Mrs. Letsoela, whose medical expenses are estimated at more than M300,000.
The Integrated Business Consultants (IBC) College has joined the fundraising campaign by offering its facilities to individuals and organisations wishing to host fundraising events for Letsoela. The college has also pledged M5,000 as an initial contribution.
In a statement, IBC said Letsoela’s situation had touched the institution deeply.
“The story of ‘Me ‘Makarabo Letsoela has touched us deeply. No person should have to face the possibility of losing their sight while desperately waiting for help. When one of us is in pain, we believe that our response should not be silence, but compassion, action and solidarity,” the college said.
IBC College said it would make its hall available free of charge to any individual, organisation, company, church, community group or other legitimate entity wishing to host a fundraising event specifically to raise money towards Letsoela’s treatment.
The college said the offer was subject to the condition that all funds raised through such events would be directed towards Letsoela’s medical assistance.
Furthermore, IBC appealed to individuals and organisations currently coordinating efforts to assist Letsoela, saying that its involvement was about more than corporate philanthropy.
“This is our way of saying that we see you, ‘Me ‘Makarabo. We hear your story. Your pain matters. Your eyesight matters. Your life matters. To Basotho and everyone who has the ability to contribute in one way or another, let us not wait until it is too late,” the college said.
Women from Botha-Bothe have also joined the fundraising efforts through a campaign dubbed ‘Pitiki’.
Letsoela is reported to have initially suffered an eye infection that resulted in growths and swelling around one of her eyes. The condition has since spread to the other eye and, if left untreated, is reportedly likely to result in both eyes being closed.
Minister of Communications, Mrs. Nthati Moorosi, last weekend appealed to the nation to assist Letsoela with funds for her medical expenses. She said she had attempted to secure government assistance for Letsoela but encountered complications surrounding the matter.
The campaign to assist Letsoela began early last year, but she has not yet been able to raise sufficient funds to meet her medical expenses.
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