Student Sponsorship in Lesotho matches sponsors with students in rural communities who have no other way to afford high school fees. For many of these children, sponsorship is the only opportunity to continue their education.
By covering school fees, sponsorship shows students that they are known, supported, and not alone. Sponsored students are accountable to Help Lesotho to work hard in school and can access additional support when challenges arise.
The Student Sponsorship Program provides financial and psychosocial support to children for their formal education and personal growth, helping cover school fees and provide added support as students navigate challenges and remain in school.
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.
How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
Sponsorship costs $48 per month or $575 per year. This support helps cover school fees and participation in a leadership camp.
Help Lesotho typically matches sponsors with students during the first half of the school year, from February to June. If you begin your sponsorship outside this period, your donation will support Help Lesotho’s Education Support Fund until a student match is available.
Once a match is made, you will receive a photo and profile of your sponsored student.
Student sponsorship is most effective when sponsors are able to support a student for the duration of their high school education, typically four to five years. At the same time, we recognize that individual circumstances may change.
Leadership Camp
Leadership Camp is a core part of the Student Sponsorship experience, offering psychosocial support and life skills training to nurture them into young leaders. Over five days, 150–200 students participate in structured activities led by trained staff, exploring topics such as grief, peer pressure, and HIV/AIDS.
Through group activities and creative expression, students build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills. Many students return for multiple camps, allowing them to build on knowledge and skills gained in previous years. To date, more than 2,000 students have participated in Leadership Camp.
Real Students. Real Outcomes.
Through consistent sponsorship, students in Lesotho are able to remain in school, build confidence, and work toward completing their education.
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 |
Ready to Sponsor a Student in Lesotho?
For $48 per month or $575 per year, student sponsorship helps cover high school fees and education-related support, allowing students to continue their education with stability and care.
Sponsorship is most effective when support can be provided throughout a student’s high school education, while recognizing that individual circumstances may vary.
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...