Articles | Prince Harry on Africa expedition

Prince Harry on Africa expedition

Published: Tuesday, 8 July 2008, 9:37AM

Prince Harry has pledged to continue his efforts helping some of Africa's most vulnerable children.

The young royal made the comment as he began working on a project supported by his charity, Sentebale, based in Lesotho.

The Prince's organisation is helping to refurbish a much-needed special needs school - the only one in the African country - that caters for 43 children with profound physical and mental disabilities.

Harry, 23, is a lieutenant in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals and he was joined by more than 20 colleagues from the regiment in helping to do tough manual jobs needed to bring the Thuso Centre in the northern town of Butha Buthe up to date.

The prince, speaking in the grounds of the special needs school, said: "(at) Sentebale as long as we can keep funding (the projects) we can make a massive, massive difference."

Looking around at his colleagues, who were working digging ditches and carrying out other manual tasks, he added: "Everything here is just so positive and fantastic. This is the only mentally handicapped school within Lesotho and once the project is finished we hope to make another in the centre and one in the south.

"The children of Lesotho, the vulnerable children of Lesotho, that's what we're working towards."

Pointing at the new entrance and ramp being constructed, Harry said: "All the kids are mentally and physically disabled. To expect them to walk up steps like these is madness."

He then moved on to the school's dining room and described how it was having its roof space insulated and other repairs made to the outside, and explained that new kitchen facilities would be installed in the block.