Mohale Dam
The Lesotho Hat
Apologies if this is a little out of date, but we have been without internet access in Lesotho for 5 days...so here goes for a long update! Hope you're ready!
Friday 6th November
Having left our comfort blankets in Queenstown, we travelled across the border in to Lesotho, to their capital Maseru where new challenges and an initial culture shock awaited us! This began with a confrontation at the border between Sarah and a South African Police Officer who decided that she wanted to fight him! Fortunately, the gun strapped across his chest was enough to persuade her not to pursue this! Although the team were very supportive, 50 metres behind her.... waiting for Geoff to persuade the officials to let him through.
We were warmly greeted at Mimmos/ Maseru Club by our hosts, the Rotary Club of Maseru, a fantastically diverse group of people from a range of different backgrounds - a contrast to previous clubs we had visited in South Africa. We were happy to get an early night after the long day travelling.
Saturday 7th November
Another early start in preparation for our first glance at what it actually meant to be in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, with a trip in to the mountains to Mohale Dam. The journey alone was interesting with Tash, Sarah and Steff wedged in the back of the car, whilst Rotarian Jack navigated the significant number of hairpin bends as we ascended the mountain. Steff managed to burn off some of the calories (meat) he has consumed over the last 2 weeks with this strenuous core stability muscle exercise!!
The views were stunning and we had a glimpse of rural life in Lesotho with the rondavels and self sufficient farming community. Mohale Dam was quite a sight and had had a significant impact on the local community with villages being resettled and graves relocated in order to make way for this project which is fundamental for the economic stability of Lesotho - they sell water to South Africa! On the way back to Maseru, Jack kept us entertained with a DVD of the best of Lesotho music and dance - further enquiries to be made in person to any member of the GSE team.
In the evening, Rotarian Jack hosted a splendid braai at his house with everyone contributing a dish - we certainly didn't go hungry!
Sunday 8th November
President Puleng and Rotarian Robert kindly took us out to one of the projects that Rotary are involved in. It was a school in the rural area outside of Maseru where there is no sanitation and as a result of Rotary support, the building of toilet and changing facilities for the 500 children that go there is now well under way. We were all a little surprised by the state of the classrooms and the general maintenance of the school, but the consolation is that children do have access to education.
We then headed over to the saving grace of the nation of Lesotho, Thaba Basiu (Mountain of the Night). There are a number of stories as to why and how this flat-topped hill got its name, but one revolves around the battle between the Basutos and the British who were unable to conquer this hill and hence, the King Moshoeshoe was able to maintain control of his kingdom. Beneath Thaba Basiu, there is a reconstructed Basuto village which is soon to be opened to tourists - one of the staff members at this village was able to give us a very interesting insight into traditional village life.
The day finished with a visit to Morija Museum and King Letsie III's private residence.
Monday 9th November
Rotarians Wanda and Kal took us to another project, called 'God's Love' orphanage, in which Rotary is heavily involved. We met Neo, the lady that runs the orphanage, which consists of 6 rooms including the kitchen, an unusable bathroom, and bedrooms and caters for 30 children aged between 0 months and 15 years old. All of us were touched by the children we met there. Tash managed to get many smiles on their faces with her camera work. Mike and Steff immediately took a shine to a gorgeous little girl called Palassa, approx 3 years old with crazy hair and a beautiful smile, whilst Sarah bumped into a little 14 month old boy crawling across the floor who at one week old was left for dead in a pig sty. Geoff met a very bright young guy who had just done very well in his school exams and was captain of the school football team. Thankfully, as a result of the work at this orphanage, all of these kids are now able to enjoy life and have some kind of future to look forward to.
The morning ended with a visit to a weaving workshop before we returned to Maseru for lunch. In the afternoon, Rotarian Kelebone organised for us to take a tour around Lesotho Flour Mill, where Mike almost had an opportunity to use his first aid skills as a worker had chopped off 2 of his fingers! To end the day, we joined Kelebone at the Lotti Brick Factory where he is MD.
Tuesday 10th November
Vocational Day - each team member to provide an update.
In the evening, it was time to give our presentation again to members from both of the clubs in Maseru, Rotary Clubs of Maseru and Maluti. It went down well again and was followed by some intriguing questions!!
Friday 6th November
Having left our comfort blankets in Queenstown, we travelled across the border in to Lesotho, to their capital Maseru where new challenges and an initial culture shock awaited us! This began with a confrontation at the border between Sarah and a South African Police Officer who decided that she wanted to fight him! Fortunately, the gun strapped across his chest was enough to persuade her not to pursue this! Although the team were very supportive, 50 metres behind her.... waiting for Geoff to persuade the officials to let him through.
We were warmly greeted at Mimmos/ Maseru Club by our hosts, the Rotary Club of Maseru, a fantastically diverse group of people from a range of different backgrounds - a contrast to previous clubs we had visited in South Africa. We were happy to get an early night after the long day travelling.
Saturday 7th November
Another early start in preparation for our first glance at what it actually meant to be in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, with a trip in to the mountains to Mohale Dam. The journey alone was interesting with Tash, Sarah and Steff wedged in the back of the car, whilst Rotarian Jack navigated the significant number of hairpin bends as we ascended the mountain. Steff managed to burn off some of the calories (meat) he has consumed over the last 2 weeks with this strenuous core stability muscle exercise!!
The views were stunning and we had a glimpse of rural life in Lesotho with the rondavels and self sufficient farming community. Mohale Dam was quite a sight and had had a significant impact on the local community with villages being resettled and graves relocated in order to make way for this project which is fundamental for the economic stability of Lesotho - they sell water to South Africa! On the way back to Maseru, Jack kept us entertained with a DVD of the best of Lesotho music and dance - further enquiries to be made in person to any member of the GSE team.
In the evening, Rotarian Jack hosted a splendid braai at his house with everyone contributing a dish - we certainly didn't go hungry!
Sunday 8th November
President Puleng and Rotarian Robert kindly took us out to one of the projects that Rotary are involved in. It was a school in the rural area outside of Maseru where there is no sanitation and as a result of Rotary support, the building of toilet and changing facilities for the 500 children that go there is now well under way. We were all a little surprised by the state of the classrooms and the general maintenance of the school, but the consolation is that children do have access to education.
We then headed over to the saving grace of the nation of Lesotho, Thaba Basiu (Mountain of the Night). There are a number of stories as to why and how this flat-topped hill got its name, but one revolves around the battle between the Basutos and the British who were unable to conquer this hill and hence, the King Moshoeshoe was able to maintain control of his kingdom. Beneath Thaba Basiu, there is a reconstructed Basuto village which is soon to be opened to tourists - one of the staff members at this village was able to give us a very interesting insight into traditional village life.
The day finished with a visit to Morija Museum and King Letsie III's private residence.
Monday 9th November
Rotarians Wanda and Kal took us to another project, called 'God's Love' orphanage, in which Rotary is heavily involved. We met Neo, the lady that runs the orphanage, which consists of 6 rooms including the kitchen, an unusable bathroom, and bedrooms and caters for 30 children aged between 0 months and 15 years old. All of us were touched by the children we met there. Tash managed to get many smiles on their faces with her camera work. Mike and Steff immediately took a shine to a gorgeous little girl called Palassa, approx 3 years old with crazy hair and a beautiful smile, whilst Sarah bumped into a little 14 month old boy crawling across the floor who at one week old was left for dead in a pig sty. Geoff met a very bright young guy who had just done very well in his school exams and was captain of the school football team. Thankfully, as a result of the work at this orphanage, all of these kids are now able to enjoy life and have some kind of future to look forward to.
The morning ended with a visit to a weaving workshop before we returned to Maseru for lunch. In the afternoon, Rotarian Kelebone organised for us to take a tour around Lesotho Flour Mill, where Mike almost had an opportunity to use his first aid skills as a worker had chopped off 2 of his fingers! To end the day, we joined Kelebone at the Lotti Brick Factory where he is MD.
Tuesday 10th November
Vocational Day - each team member to provide an update.
In the evening, it was time to give our presentation again to members from both of the clubs in Maseru, Rotary Clubs of Maseru and Maluti. It went down well again and was followed by some intriguing questions!!
You should declare your hand and let us know who has written a piece. Great reading, Lestho sounds like it was fun
ReplyDeleteMike
Excellent blogging, Lesotho has clearly been quite an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteThanks Greg and Mike! Sarah and Steff here and we are the proud authors of the more entertaining blogs i.e. Lesotho and the first post!!
ReplyDeleteMike - it's 22.30 and we're still blogging, such is our dedication.
Hope everyone at home is ok.