The Oblates have worked there since 1862 and played a major role in establishing the National University of Lesotho over a 60 year period.

Welcoming the Ambassador to Inchicore, the Provincial, Fr William Fitzpatrick said that the Congregation was anxious to continue and expand its work in Lesotho in future.

“We very much appreciate the ambassador’s interest in and appreciation of the contribution made by Oblate missionaries in her country in the past, and the work they are doing today. The Irish Oblates who have been part of this story represent an aspect of Irish history and heritage of which we should all be proud -- one that is still waiting to be fully told,” he said.

The Oblate Anglo-Irish Province has formally announced a contribution of one million US dollars to fund housing for disadvantaged students at the National University of Lesotho.

The university was originally founded by the Oblates in 1945 as the first Black university in Southern Africa. It has developed to become a major education establishment for the entire region.

Oblates from the Anglo-Irish Province have had an association with southern Africa and Lesotho in particular since the late 19th century. The Congregation first began its work in Lesotho through the missionary efforts of French Oblate, Blessed Joseph Gerard.

Oblate missionaries originally from the Anglo-Irish Province, but assigned to Africa at ordination or later, continue to work across South Africa. In conjunction with these missionaries and local Oblates, the Anglo-Irish Province has recently been promoting projects in South Africa, most of which are funded by the Irish Missionary Resource Service (IMRS).

Volunteers from Oblate Youth Service (OYS) are currently working in ‘Little Eden’, a home for 290 physically and mentally disabled children. This project, which is located on the outskirts of Johannesburg, is run on two sites, one of which is a farm where the more able-bodied children reside.

“Our priority will always be to assist disadvantaged and marginalized people in the countries where we are based. This work consistently involves working on the edges of society with the poor. In this, we are inspired by our founder, St Eugene de Mazenod, who, as a young priest, worked with the destitute and prisoners condemned to death, in his native Provence,” Fr Fitzpatrick said.