About Lesotho
Lesotho is a small mountainous enclave of South Africa. The population of 2.1 million is mostly very poor with nearly half living below the poverty line. Those living in rural areas are hardest hit. They generally survive on subsistence agriculture and have a very low standard of living.
On top of this Lesotho is facing one of the worst HIV/AIDS crises in the world.
On top of this Lesotho is facing one of the worst HIV/AIDS crises in the world.
Life in Lesotho: a shepherd boy
Motlalinyane Motilinyane is aged 17. He has looked after his father’s flock of around 100 sheep since he was a young boy. He went to school for just five years, during which time he would go to school in the morning and look after the sheep in the afternoon.
Motlalinyane gets to keep the lambs and as a result owns 35 sheep. He hopes to get married in his early twenties, at which point he will build his own house and live as a subsistence farmer.
In the picture Motlalinyane is wearing the traditional Basotho blanket even though it is the middle of summer as it forms part of his identity.
Motlalinyane Motilinyane is aged 17. He has looked after his father’s flock of around 100 sheep since he was a young boy. He went to school for just five years, during which time he would go to school in the morning and look after the sheep in the afternoon.
Motlalinyane gets to keep the lambs and as a result owns 35 sheep. He hopes to get married in his early twenties, at which point he will build his own house and live as a subsistence farmer.
In the picture Motlalinyane is wearing the traditional Basotho blanket even though it is the middle of summer as it forms part of his identity.
How we are helping
The project in Lesotho started in January 2008 when Edward and Mpho Ndebele moved to Lesotho.
Edward and Mpho work for Hope for Africa Missions, our local partner. Previously, they worked in similar projects in South Africa and Mozambique.
Hope for Africa Missions mainly works in the Khukhune and Butha Buthe regions in the North of Lesotho where the following projects have been established:
Agriculture
The agricultural project provides training to local people (many of whom are subsistence farmers), helps to improve the rudimentary techniques and introduces the local people to new crops. This increases the variety in people’s diet and their expertise in growing different crops. The profits from the sale of Hope for Africa’s own crops help to make the project sustainable.
Church planting
Hope for Africa has planted three churches in Northern Lesotho. The first church was planted in the town of Butha Buthe and has around 40 adult members as well as meetings for the children and youth.
Hope for Africa also arranges meetings of local pastors so that they can support and encourage each other.
Sewing project
Eight women are currently being trained in a sewing school run by Hope for Africa. The aim is to educate and empower the Basotho women. The women are nearing the end of a one year course and are now able to make items of a high enough quality to be able to sell them.
Orphan care
A key part of Hope for Africa’s work is looking after HIV/AIDS orphans. Hope for Africa currently provides for 8 orphans who live with different families in the local area.
Edward and Mpho work for Hope for Africa Missions, our local partner. Previously, they worked in similar projects in South Africa and Mozambique.
Hope for Africa Missions mainly works in the Khukhune and Butha Buthe regions in the North of Lesotho where the following projects have been established:
Agriculture
The agricultural project provides training to local people (many of whom are subsistence farmers), helps to improve the rudimentary techniques and introduces the local people to new crops. This increases the variety in people’s diet and their expertise in growing different crops. The profits from the sale of Hope for Africa’s own crops help to make the project sustainable.
Church planting
Hope for Africa has planted three churches in Northern Lesotho. The first church was planted in the town of Butha Buthe and has around 40 adult members as well as meetings for the children and youth.
Hope for Africa also arranges meetings of local pastors so that they can support and encourage each other.
Sewing project
Eight women are currently being trained in a sewing school run by Hope for Africa. The aim is to educate and empower the Basotho women. The women are nearing the end of a one year course and are now able to make items of a high enough quality to be able to sell them.
Orphan care
A key part of Hope for Africa’s work is looking after HIV/AIDS orphans. Hope for Africa currently provides for 8 orphans who live with different families in the local area.