Student Sponsorship matches sponsors with students in rural communities who have no other source of funds to pay the prohibitive high school fees. The Student Sponsorship Program is the only option for many of these children to continue going to school and achieve their dream of being educated.
Funding school fees demonstrates to each child that someone knows who they are, believes in them and will support them so they are no longer alone. Students are accountable to Help Lesotho to work hard, and they are also able to access greater support when challenges arise.
The Student Sponsorship Program provides financial and psychosocial support to children for their formal education and personal growth.
The majority of sponsored students are girls due to their increased vulnerability to poverty and HIV/AIDS. Find out more about how children are matched with sponsors in the FAQs below.
Monthly Donation: $48
Annual Donation: $575
Covers school fees and leadership camp
Help Lesotho typically only matches sponsors to students in the first half of the school year (February – June). If you begin your sponsorship outside of this window, your donations will support Help Lesotho’s Education Support Fund until we are able to match you to a specific student. When you are matched to your child, you will receive a photo and profile.
Sponsors are encouraged to commit to sponsorship for the duration of their sponsored student’s high school education (4-5 years).
Start Your Sponsorship Today!
Leadership Camp
Leadership Camp is a transformative experience for sponsored children, providing psychosocial support and life skills training to nurture them into young leaders. Over five days, 150-200 children engage in structured activities led by trained staff, addressing topics like grief, peer pressure, and HIV/AIDS. Through fun activities and talent shows, children build confidence and resilience. The camp aims to fill the support gap for Lesotho’s vulnerable youth, empowering them to overcome challenges and make a difference in their communities.
The reiterative nature of the program allows information to be absorbed and understand throughout the duration of Camp. When children return for a second, third or even forth camp they learn new skills to build upon the knowledge gained at previous camps! With over 2000 students impacted, donations to send cildren to the camp offer them a life-changing opportunity to thrive and inspire others.
Before I came to the camp, I didn’t know anything about being a leader and how can one be a leader even the qualities of a good leader. I used to think that for a person to be a leader he/she has to be very educated or be rich.
But now I am a different person, I know that I am the leader and I know that I have to be honest, creative, good listener and always share ideas with my followers. I have learned that the good leader has to have high self-esteem and assertiveness.
Student Sponsorship FAQ
What does your sponsorship provide?
Your sponsorship provides:
- School fees for high school (Grade 8 – Grade 11);
- A new school uniform every two years (uniforms are mandatory);
- New shoes every two years;
- Exam fees for national exams;
- Textbooks and stationary;
- Toiletry kits twice a year;
- Regular school visits from Help Lesotho staff to discuss academic goals and performance; and
- Psychosocial support sessions at their school with Help Lesotho’s Child Support Officer.
How long will it take for me to be matched with a student?
The answer depends on what time of year you sign up! The Lesotho school year runs from late January to November.
Sponsors are matched to students from February – March each year. This ensures that the students needing sponsorship are matched to a sponsor in time to start their school year on schedule.
On rare occasions, sponsors will be matched to students during the school year under special circumstances.
What happens if I sign up to sponsor outside the February – March window?
Your donation will be temporarily allocated to Help Lesotho’s Education Support Fund, which provides one-time support to vulnerable students in Lesotho.
Once your sponsorship begins, your donation will be used exclusively to support the designated student.
Does it matter if I pay monthly or annually?
Please consider paying for your sponsorship monthly (either direct deposit from your bank account or credit card)!
Monthly payments reduce the administrative cost of the Student Sponsorship Program and ensure uninterrupted support for your sponsored student.
Can I send my sponsored child gifts?
In the best interests of the child, we insist that sponsors limit any gifts to small, light, non-monetary items such as stickers, book marks, motivational cards, family photos, black tights for girls, and most importantly, letters.
Other gifts can cause a child to stand out and foster jealousy in their families and communities.
How often will I hear from my sponsored child?
Sponsored children are expected to write at least two letters a year to their sponsors – one in the spring and one in the fall.
These letters will be forwarded to you through Help Lesotho’s Ottawa office.
Each fall, you will receive an annual update that includes a copy of your sponsored child’s questionnaire, a photo, and a letter. Sponsors will also receive an update from Leadership Camp.
How can I communicate with my sponsored child?
Sponsors are encouraged to write letters to their sponsored children. Letters can be sent to Help Lesotho’s Canadian Office to be transported to Lesotho with staff/volunteers, or directly to Help Lesotho’s Lesotho Office.
Please indicate the name and school of your sponsored child on the envelope.
| Canadian Office: Help Lesotho 610 Bronson Avenue Ottawa, ON K1S 4E6 |
Lesotho Office: Help Lesotho P.O.Box 231 Leribe 300, LESOTHO |
Give the Gift of Education!
Start Your Sponsorship Today!
Sponsor a student, change a life!
Almost 2000 students in Lesotho have received sponsorship for their high school education through Help Lesotho's Student Sponsorship Program. High school poses a myriad of challenges for any student, yet in Lesotho, a many are either a single or double orphaned and...