Day 44 (Mafeteng)
So... All the positivity about a full week of sessions lasted the grand total of two days. Monday and Tuesday have been absolute washouts, and I've only just got dry from today's downpour (it's 7pm!).
Unfortunately, because of the wet weather, our plans for Moshoeshoe's Day (a national holiday celebrating the founder of Lesotho) we're cancelled. It is normally marked in events put on by the schools, combining a mix of singing and athletics throughout the day, but in these conditions the events just we're not possible. It's a real shame to miss out on the only national holiday that is celebrated during our time here, but hopefully we will get to see some of the schools rescheduled activities in our final few weeks here.
Day 45 (Mafeteng)
In true British style, it is only right that I continue to talk about the weather. It's getting much colder here now. The evenings are getting chilly, and I've busted out my University of Surrey hoody to get me through the nights. I'm really glad we'll be leaving Lesotho just as winter begins, as although the days are still warm, the nights can get really cold.
Today was meant to be the day I helped hand out the Toms at a local primary school, but as usual here in Lesotho, the organisation hasn't exactly been stellar. This has been postponed for next week instead, and I really hope it happens before I leave Mafeteng!
Day 46 (Mafeteng)
Well... Today is both a good day and a bad day. Firstly (and the good news), we have a new team leader - an experienced volunteer who has worked with the other organisation here in Lesotho, named Daniel. Although we only have three weeks left, I have a feeling that having a new team leader will really help us prepare for our handover and get our programmes fully ready for our departure, something that has already raised the positivity levels in that regard.
As I mentioned, however, there has been some negativity, largely due to how the Basotho people and the UK volunteers work out our problems. It's fair to say that we have had some problems with our programmes here since our arrival, mainly with the support groups, who have failed to get back in touch with us, which means a big part of what LENEPWHA does in Mafeteng has had to be replaced with extra school sessions. However, it seems to be that this hasn't been fully communicated to Skillshare, and therefore when we raise it as an issue it comes across as complaining about the programme, something that is only made harder sometimes by the language barrier. We're all really proud of the work we're doing here in Mafeteng, but we want the next group to have the best possible chance of working with the support groups, so hopefully this issue will be ironed out in time.
Day 48 - Day 49 (Semonkong)
This has been the best weekend I have had in a very long time. Semonkong is around a four hour drive from Maseru, and that meant leaving Mafeteng at 8.30am, with multiple bus changes and mountainous roads on the way. We finally made it at 2pm on Saturday.
Semonkong is home to the Maletsunyane Falls, the highest waterfall in Southern Africa, and also the Semonkong Lodge - a literal paradise, mainly due to the presence of marmite, a treat that has been absent from my life for the past seven weeks. The restaurant and bar are aimed at western travellers, meaning that I have had roast lamb and a fried breakfast this weekend.
The waterfall itself is one of the most incredible things I have seen. While some guys chose to climb down, I chose to remain at the top, opposite the falls to get an amazing view of the place. The actual walk to the fall was pretty 'entertaining', with this week's heavy rains leading to plenty of Vicar-of-Dibley-puddle moments. At least we managed to entertain the locals, who often walked on just laughing at us.
After a couple of weeks with so many sessions rained off or cancelled, this weekend has been exactly what I've needed. The UK volunteers here have become such great friends, and it was great to head off somewhere new and explore as a group. I am so motivated now for our final few weeks here, and know that we really are helping to establish a legacy here - just one that is going to be built up over many years of ICS groups.
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