The Lesotho's Strength is its People: A Rapid Appraisal of Home- and Community-Based Care report summarizes findings and recommendations of a rapid appraisal of a pilot home- and community-based care program in Lesotho. The report provides a general overview of the impact of HIV/AIDS, the national response, a detailed appraisal the home- and community-based care program pilot at district, community and household levels. Case studies and insights to traditional care practices are also provided. The appraisal was conducted in collaboration with CARE site coordinators and explored the following areas: home- and community-based care program volunteers capacity, services (scope, type of care and coverage), the perception of home- and community-based care program, referral systems and linkages, sustainability and integration with National Palliative Care and home- and community-based care program activities.

Methods of appraisal included direct observation, review of relevant documents, interviews, and informal focus group discussions with key stakeholders, partners, home- and community-based care providers and clients. All work was conducted in the local language Sesotho.

Traditional culture and customs in Lesotho are very supportive and sensitive to the need for home- and community-based care. This tradition is what CARE Lesotho's home- and community-based care pilot is built on. Despite limited resources the home- and community-based care workers collectively provide approximately 800 home visits per month, use their own cultural care strategies and limited resources to care, feed and support ill people in their communities. With the support from CARE Lesotho they have been able to up-grade the provision of care but without additional support to home- and community-based care Lesotho will not be able to care adequately for it's people.