On Sunday, January 31, 2010, HRH Prince Harry of Wales and HRH Prince Seeiso of Lesotho will travel to Barbados to launch The Sentebale Polo Cup at the Apes Hill Polo Club. The event will raise funds for African children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Sentebale is a charity set up by both Princes that has already helped over 3,000 of Lesotho’s orphaned, abused, disabled, ill and most vulnerable children. Next weekend’s polo event is expected to raise a considerable sum that will go toward providing health, care and education through a variety of targeted initiatives.
Prince Harry, who will play for the Sentebale team in the match, explained the importance of his grassroots organization’s work: “Prince Seeiso and I are incredibly proud of what Sentebale has achieved. But HIV and AIDS are killing more people every year, and poverty and drought afflict many more people than we currently are able to help. The situation is critical. It is the children who are suffering the most from this crisis. Without help, the future of this beautiful country and its unique people is very bleak. We believe Sentebale can change this.”
Added Prince Seeiso, “When Prince Harry and I set up Sentebale in memory of our mothers, we committed ourselves to helping the plight of Lesotho’s children. We wanted to create a memorial to their tireless work by helping vulnerable children and those who have suffered from the AIDS crisis. We are committed to reaching more of Lesotho’s children each year, working hand in hand with local partners to deliver care, health and education. Sentebale’s work is just beginning. We hope the Sentebale Polo Cup will help us to reach the thousands more children who need our support.”