| ABOUT OUR NAME... |
The name Beautiful Gate originates from: Acts 3:2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" Then Peter said, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. |
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ABOUT | History
In June 2001, Beautiful Gate Lesotho responded to a critical problem in Lesotho and initially opened its doors to 7 children, providing safety and care for abandoned, HIV/AIDS affected and other vulnerable children. For just over 6 years we operated within the family of ministries of Youth With a Mission and under the umbrella of Beautiful Gate International. During that time, Beautiful Gate Lesotho developed its own unique identity as an Interdenominational Christian organization. In January 2008, our board followed the lead of Beautiful Gate Ministries International to fully embrace our new identity separate from Youth With a Mission, and moved into the next season as an organization.
Since Beautiful Gate Lesotho’s establishment in June 2001, we have cared for over 325 children, primarily aged 0-5, abandoned or affected /infected by HIV/AIDS. Since its inception, Beautiful Gate Lesotho endeavoured to see these children repatriated with family or adopted. Over 250 children have been adopted locally or internationally, placed under guardianship, or reunited with family in Lesotho. Sadly 34 have passed away while under our care, mainly due to AIDS related illnesses. Up to June 2007, we were only able to accommodate 25 children at a time, due to limited space. After the completion of our new buildings on a new site in 2007, we can now accommodate up to 60 children, and typically have between 50 and 60 kids at any given time.
The new care centre is comprised of 12 buildings and other ancillary structures, enabling us to expand our services to the children and the surrounding community of Ha Thetsane. These buildings include the children’s houses, play therapy houses, a chapel, a clinic, a pre-school, an administrative office block, volunteer flats, a skills training centre, a buildings and grounds maintenance shop, a memorial wall and other support buildings. The completion of the buildings up to this stage has been financed through donations from various donors, locally and overseas. Our operational costs and practical needs have been mainly met by interested individuals, churches, some funding organizations and small businesses. We currently have nearly 40 local care, maintenance and administration staff as well as 6 long term volunteers.
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