Prince Harry attends Sentebale Gala Dinner
On Wednesday 27 February, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso visited two of Sentebale’s community run organisations – Kananelo Centre for the Deaf and the St Bernadette’s Centre for the Blind in Lesotho. Sentebale provides grants and management support to these centres, which are part of Sentebale’s Care for Vulnerable Children Programme.
Prince Harry was delighted with the improvements Sentebale has made to these centres and many children’s lives since he last visited in 2010. Improvements included improved infrastructure and self-sufficiency, through growing produce for the children and surrounding communities.
In the evening, both princes travelled to Johannesburg where the focus shifted to Sentebale’s major fundraising campaign – to build the Mamohato Centre, which provides psychosocial support and education to young people infected with HIV.
This was the first time Sentebale had hosted a fundraising dinner in South Africa. The money raised was in the hundreds of thousands and the support received was heartfelt. Guests learned how this centre will allow Sentebale to reach four times the number of children than before and the significance of the centre’s name – it will be named after Prince Seeiso’s mother, Queen ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso and will be built on the sacred land of Thaba-Bosiu in Lesotho, known to many as the birthplace of the nation.
CEO, Cathy Ferrier said, “We are hugely grateful to all who sponsored and attended the evening. It was a wonderful start to the campaign to raise money for the Mamohato Centre and it felt right to be talking of our plans in the neighbouring country of South Africa. We will continue to develop new partnerships and are looking forward to being able to improve the lives of thousands of children, their families and their communities who are affected by HIV.”
Sentebale is incredibly grateful to Investec Asset Management for supporting our event along with the following sponsors: Avios, Graham Beck Wines, Jordan Properties, Jordan Wine Estate, Legacy Hotels, Summer Place, Vicky Crease Catering & Events