Lesotho Week 1: A New Environment

As the first few days were so packed and tiring, I didn't have the chance to write everyday, hopefully this will give you an idea of the experience so far.

Day 4 (Maseru, Skillshare Guesthouse)

We've now been here for 4 days, and it's beginning to feel normal. I'm not going to lie, the first few days have been emotionally tough. I'm always homesick to some extent, so was prepared and haven't let it get in the way of my participation.

We are currently staying in Maseru, in the Skillshare International guesthouse, and we're a pretty great group. The national volunteers are amazing, and have helped the transition, especially in learning some of the language. I'm starting to use some in day-to-day conversation, but it's very basic. The food is also incredible, and so far I haven't disliked any of the meals. So much carb and veg though!

Myself and Daisy (fellow UK volunteer and blogger) have been placed in Mafeteng, and will be moving to our home stay on Saturday. I'm not sure yet who we will be staying with but will find out when we arrive. I'll be volunteering with LENEPWHA, a support network for people in Lesotho living with HIV and AIDS. Some of this will involve working with deaf children too, which is not something I was expecting to do but is an amazing example of the variety of work the volunteers will be doing while out here. 

I will aim to write more about Mafeteng when we arrive, but I do know that it is Lesotho's 'second city' (like Birmingham to London) and I'm really looking forward to exploring another part of the country.

During my time here so far, I have learnt some sosotho, hiked up a mountain and been on a literal 'party bus' (the national volunteers love to sing and dance!). I have no idea what the next nine weeks will hold, but it is very exciting!

Day 6 (Mafeteng, Host Family)

As I write this, I am settling in to life with my host family. We arrived this afternoon to Mafeteng, where myself, Daisy, Conrad and Fletch (the latter two are volunteering with OYAP) went separate ways to meet our parents for the next 9 weeks.

My Lesotho mé (mum) is named Makhotso, and my ntate (dad) is named Serame. They live with their nine year old son (the youngest of four children), and two granddaughters. Their other three children work and study in Maseru. 

In the guesthouse, I was used to running water and showers. Here, I will be bathing out of a basin, and have an outdoor toilet, but I can only see this as a positive challenge. Training prepared us for this, and I want to make the most of everyday we have here (a number that is rapidly going down!).

Mobile data here in Lesotho is incredibly cheap, so I can now stay in touch with home. This has relieved some anxiety I had, and will allow me to update people on what I am doing, and still retain some element of a home comfort. It also let's me update this blog, which is a relief.

Life here in Lesotho is very chilled. There is laid back attitude, which is both great and frustrating at the same time. For example, today we were meant to leave for Mafeteng at 12pm, and instead headed off at 2.30pm. This is a culture that revolves around enjoying life and not worrying about minor issues. On Tuesday and Wednesday I was worried that I had made a mistake by coming here, but the combination of lifestyle, culture and training has reassured me that I chose correctly in applying for ICS. I will obviously have emotional highs and lows. But everyday is one day closer to home and I don't want to leave with regrets. 

Everyday I get to explore somewhere or something new. On Friday, we went for a meal in Maseru Central as a whole team of Lesotho volunteers. A pint of beer here is 20R, equivalent to £1.10. I'm not going to be drinking often, or heavily, but it is incredible that it is so cheap compared to home. Today, we went to one of Maseru's malls, and I was able to stick up on what I needed before leaving the guesthouse. Incredibly, Cadbury's chocolate is sold here, so I may need to invest in some for when I miss home!

 

This is a beautiful country, and I can't wait to get started on the practical sessions. I am learning how to cope outside of my comfort zone, and I haven't even cried once! I do not miss home, but I miss what makes home great, and I know that I will appreciate those that mean the most to me even more when I get back in April. 

Day 7 (Mafeteng, Host Family)

Today was my first full day in Mafeteng, and the views are incredible. We took a walk today to see Coach (our team leader) run a session, and the scenery is beautiful. The session enabled Daisy and I to see how we will be working in the schools, which is very exciting! The kids were amazing, and so eager to learn, which is also a great sign!

Following this, we got to explore the city of Mafeteng a bit more, and met up with Conrad, Fletch and Keke for a drink. The city is not as nice as Maseru, but it has everything I need, and as it was a Sunday most places were shut. Hopefully I will get to explore (and explain) more in detail in the future. 

My host family have been teaching me more sosotho, and I have been given a sosotho name. They have named me Lehlohonolo, or Hlony for short. It means Lucky. I have been struggling with the pronunciation of it all day, but am starting to get there! My first night here was great and I am liking that I get a chance to reflect at night by wiring and reading. My host family are in bed by 8pm/9pm, so I have a couple of hours to think about the day and what lies ahead. 

As today was my first 'free day' of the trip, I had plenty of time to think about home, and admit I got a bit homesick. I miss my family and friends a lot, but I know that the next nine-weeks are going to be fast paced. I have so much to do here, and I know they will want me to enjoy every minute.

I cannot believe our first week is now over, and that we are one week down. We really do not have much time here at all, so making the most of it is my main aim!

Lesotho Day 0: Preparing for the Unpreparable

Tomorrow is the day!

At 4.30pm I will leave these rainy shores for the distant far off land of Lesotho, living and volunteering for ten weeks in the local community. For those of you that are potentially interested in what I'll be doing and getting up to while I'm away, I'll be continually updating this blog whenever possible, hopefully with some colourful pictures to add some context.

Lesotho is located to the east of South Africa, completely landlocked by the latter, and is an independent state. It is has a population of around 1.8million, and according to the World Food Programme, it's expected life expectancy is 41.2 years. During my time away, I will be volunteering to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, gender equality and crime prevention, through active learning. This programme is called 'Coaching For Hope'.

'Coaching For Hope' is part of the charity, Skillshare International, who I have been fundraising for before I go away. In total, I raised £862.00, all of which goes to the programme to keep it sustainable and ensuring that development goals are met. During my first week away, I'll receive training to prepare me for the ten week placement and be told whereabouts in the country I will be placed.

So, that's just a brief primer of what I'm doing and where I'm going. My future blog posts will have a bit more substance, keeping you updated in what I am doing and any particular musings I have on the country. Hopefully you keep interested, and are checking back from time to time to see the incredible work that Skillshare are doing across Africa.

ICS: Reflections So Far

It's hard to believe that in just fourteen days I will be a mere few hours into the incredibly long journey to Maseru, Lesotho. That's only two weeks away from an experience that started way back in September and has already opened my eyes to the incredible work that some international development charities carry out worldwide. Skillshare International is one of these, and one that I am truly proud to be working with on such a life changing experience.

Those of you who know me well will know how completely unprepared I was to graduate from University, and the life shift that comes with it. Having spent my final year at Surrey constantly aiming for a first class degree, I spent little time knowing what it was I really wanted to do afterwards. I've always been interested in international development, both as a field of study and as a category within the charity sector, and taking that leap and applying to take part in the International Citizen Service was a leap that I will always be glad I made. Becoming an ICS volunteer has given me a new sense of purpose, from the fundraising that comes with it, to preparing for the culture shock that will be inevitable upon living in a new community for ten weeks. And I cannot wait.

This blog is mainly to say that if you've ever thought about volunteering abroad, then you can no better than apply to take part as an ICS volunteer. As an applicant, the process was smooth and incredibly uncomplicated, and within one week I was informed I had been successful in the first stage and invited along to an assessment day. The assessment day was one of the most relaxed interview and task-based scenarios I have ever been involved in, with all candidates being supportive to each other. And then, finally, training, where I met the Lesotho-based team and realised how incredible this experience is going to be. Skillshare International have been amazing throughout the whole process too, answering all questions quickly and making you feel appreciated as a volunteer (not something you always get from charities).

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that you should chase what you want to do, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Fundraising as a team is something I am used to, yet individually has been a massive task (and I am so thankful to everyone that contributed!). The next stage is preparing to leave and then the main event, the international placement in Lesotho from 27th January. This will be where I will wholly be in a completely different environment, and it all started from one application form just four months ago. Everything starts with that one little step, so whatever you want to do, get started on it. You won't regret it.

A Post-Training Weekend Update

So, as I write this blog, I'm sat on the train home from an incredible training weekend with Skillshare International. Having spent two days learning about my upcoming placement in Lesotho, I only felt it would be fair for me to update my donors on what I'll be doing for ten weeks, and where the money is going.

As you may know, I'll begin my placement at the end of January, and will spend ten weeks in country on programmes specifically designed around HIV/AIDS and youth empowerment. Built into these programmes there are also clear goals in promoting gender equality and sustainable livelihoods, ultimately aiming to contribute to better qualities of life for the young people who take part. A key theme during the placement will also be crime prevention, and each team will be developing a project to engage young people with this.

When in country, each team will be working on one of two programmes: either with the Olympic Youth Ambassadors Programme (OYAP) or the Lesotho Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (LENEPHWHA). OYAP is organised by the Lesotho National Olympics Committee and aims to develop young people through sport, using sessions focusing on life skills and HIV and AIDS awareness. LENEPHWHA is a network of support groups for people loving with HIV and AIDS, and part of the work will be combatting the stigma of both within the country, again using sport as a basis to engage young people in educating around the myths of HIV and AIDS.

This weekend I also got to meet the incredible team I will be volunteering with. We'll be living with host families while in country, and experiencing Lesotho's culture at a direct level. The villages we'll be staying in could be incredibly remote, depending on which programme we are placed in. We'll also have limited access to technology, but I'll try and update my blog whenever possible, to keep all you guys who have donated to this incredible programme informed of the work that is actually happening on the ground.

Ultimately, this weekend has made me feel so glad to have taken that leap and take on the ICS programme. Skillshare International are a phenomenal charity, and the money you have (or maybe will?!) donate is going to fund some incredible initiatives. I'm so eager to get over to Lesotho now, and have three more weeks to hit my fundraising target, and only five weeks until I leave. This adventure has only just begun, and I'm excited to get stuck in!

Living Below The Line: Endnote

This week has been incredibly hard. Living on £1 a day for 5 days has really opened my eyes to the importance of nutrition and healthy eating, primarily because it's hard to get food of any substance on such a budget.

 

As I mentioned in my last post, 57% of people in Lesotho live below the Extreme Poverty Line, which is estimated to be around £1 a day. I don't wish to compare my week on £5 to what they go through daily, so my experiences are solely relative to those living in Britain. Before this week, I've never been truly aware of how little nutrition you can get from cheap food. Cans of Sainsbury's Basics Meatballs and Beans and Sausages may be filling, but they don't make you feel good.

This week I've experienced the worst headaches I've ever had, while my eczema has flared up incredibly, which I put down to the lack of variation in my diet. Processed meat, rice and cuppa soups have filled my mealtimes, while my soul source of fruit has come from a tin of mandarins in syrup.

However, at the end of the day, I'm lucky enough to be able to go and start eating how I normally would again. Millions of people around the world aren't lucky enough to do that, and this experience has helped my understand the health problems that can occur just on a short-term basis. Long-term on such a narrow diet is unimaginable to me. One way of lifting people out of poverty is to provide them with the ability to aspire to achieve more.

Skillshare International are doing some incredible work out in Africa, and their projects work to ensure people have sustainable livelihoods, empowering young people to aspire to greatness and providing the right education to tackle HIV and AIDS. If you wish to donate to the charity to support the work they do, please click HERE and help make a massive contribution to tackling such inequality.

£1 A Day

I'm relatively constrained in organising BIG fundraising events to help me get to my £800 target. Working full time and leaving my job just a few days before the mega-busy Christmas period begins, means that I'm trying to utilise personal networks and family connections. However, that doesn't mean that I don't want to attempt some forms of personal challenge, and so next week I'll be living on £1 a day.

The Extreme Poverty Line is defined at being around £1 a day, and millions of people across the globe live on just this amount a day. In Lesotho, 57% of the population live in these conditions, an amazingly sobering fact. Raising people out of poverty is not about pumping money into areas. It's about empowering communities through sustainable methods, and this is the work that Skillshare International is committed to throughout Africa and Asia.

 For me, experiencing living on £1 a day from Monday 3rd December to Friday 6th December is not about expecting to understand what communities go through on a daily basis. Spending £5 on food over five days will be difficult, especially when I can often spend that on one trip to Sainsbury's  after work. This challenge is for me to experience the difficulty of living on so little. And to make it even more worthwhile, I'll be donating my average spend on food, drinks and groceries each week to Skillshare International.

Any help you can give to this amazing cause would be incredible. My Justgiving page can be found in the link below, and I will be sure to update throughout next week on my progress.

Click here for my Justgiving page.

Off to Lesotho

So... I've finally been able to reveal (publicly) that which I have had to keep secret for a few weeks. Firstly, the factual information: As of January, I'm flying off to Lesotho for ten weeks with Skillshare International, an international development charity working across Africa. As part of this, I'll be an International Citizen Service volunteer, a programme mostly funded by the government and facilitated by several charities who run volunteering opportunities for both citizens of the host country, and us Brits. Secondly: Before I go away, I've got to raise £800 for Skillshare International, all of which ensures that the programme continues in the future.

Now then, why am I doing this?

Eventually, somewhere down the road of life, I want to enter a career in international development. Unlike some people who believe Britain should keep all of its money inside its shores, I believe that offering international aid to developing countries is an absolutely essential function of us as a state. The ICS programme takes this belief and ensures that development is both sustainable and monitored. This is in no way voluntourism (or any other combination of the two words), it's a ten week placement manned by both foreign and native volunteers, working together to create evidence-based solutions for real problems faced everyday by the citizens of these countries.

Lesotho is a country with several serious problems. 67% of people are considered to be 'poor', and 57% live on less than $1.25 a day. It has a life expectancy of 41 years old. 24% of people have HIV/AIDS, raising to 50% in some of the larger cities. These problems can be solved. Not overnight, but slowly and surely living conditions for the 1.8 million people living in Lesotho can be improved. Skillshare International's 'Coaching for Hope' programme uses sport as a way of engaging schoolchildren in the development process, specifically HIV and AIDS education, youth empowerment and gender equality. Encouraging children to aspire is an extremely powerful tool in development, and that's what this programme aims to achieve.

I'm incredibly excited and proud to have been selected for such an opportunity. Although it is only ten weeks, I'm certain that I will make some form of difference to a community in Lesotho, which will then be continued by more volunteers as this programme continues. To do this, Skillshare International relies on donations. To give money, please head to my justgiving page here, and give whatever you can afford. Anything will make a massive difference to the lives of people in Lesotho and across Africa.