Semonkong community-based organsiation the Katleho 'Moho Association (KMA), working with BTCV, have been awarded funding of just under £5000 from the UK-based Rufford Small Grants Foundation to develop their Semonkong Commmunity Garden and Botanical Garden project.

The project aims to establish a community run botanical nursery and garden designed in the long-term to address fundamental issues of food security, nutrition, conservation of medicinal, rare and threatened plant species, soil degradation and local sustainable economic development.

The nursery will act as a collecting point for local plant species, and a base to grow these and others with nutritional or land conservation value for wide local use. In addition, it will provide a supply of valuable medicinal plants for wider marketing and income generation to ensure long-term sustainability and community income.

The project has been developed in partnership with UK environmental NGO BTCV and evolved from a unique process which involved 'tourists' in the local planning process. BTCV uses a programme of conservation working 'holidays' to support its local partners. In November 2008, on the 'Basotho Botanics' holiday, participants will work directly with KMA volunteers and local people to carry out the main nursery construction work.