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Being old in Lesotho
Maesebia lives in Semonkong, in the highlands of Lesotho. She is one of the 1.9 million inhabitants of this small, landlocked country. This elderly woman is hundred years old. This is exceptional in a country where the life expectancy at birth is 52 years and one third of the population is younger than 14. Only 5.4% of the population is above 65 years old.
Third place
Lesotho has the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence worldwide. Adult prevalence stands at 23.6%. This leads to relatively high death rates among young adults and a low life expectancy. Maesebia herself lost her husband sixty years ago. He was a miner in South Afirca who never returned home.
Granny
Maesebia is one of the grannies supported through the Adopt a Granny programme. Nowadays almost 90% of the population is literate. Maesebia is able to read, and likes reading the bible. But her sons are both illiterate farmers and the family lacked food and clothing. The granny was in poor health and suffered depression resulting from her husband's disappearance. Dorcas provided counselling as well as spiritual support. Now she enjoys telling stories to the village children.
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| Friday, 8 February 2013 |
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