About Us
delivers grassroots mental health support and training programs in
rural communities in Southern Africa battling the impacts of AIDS,
poverty, unemployment and gender-inequity.
Our vision is that:
Youth of Lesotho to have the agency and resilience
to create healthy and self-sustaining futures.
Financial accountability
We can and will tell you exactly where your donations go and why. We proudly maintain our Imagine Canada Accreditation annually in recognition of our exceptional accountability and transparency.
Funding
Our programs are funded by a combination of donor support (individuals, businesses, schools, churches, corporations and community groups) and international funders. We have raised over $23,000,000 CAD without government support. Every dollar is appreciated and maximized in Lesotho!
Local partnerships
All programs and approaches are developed and delivered in consultation with civil society organizations, local community leaders, chiefs, government ministries, police, and health workers.
The King and Queen of Lesotho are longstanding supporters and advocates.
Staff
Help Lesotho’s programs are delivered by an all-local team of highly trained staff who are deeply committed to the beneficiaries they serve. A small Canadian staff supports their efforts. 80% of staff are female.
Sustainable capacity building
Nearly all Help Lesotho staff are graduates of Help Lesotho programs. Our professional internship program rigorously trains and capacitates these talented young people as they specialize in supporting specific populations and topics. Our interns grow into compassionate, all-star employees and leaders for our organization or other employment opportunities across the country.
Locally-defined needs only – No band-aid solutions
We always prioritize locally-defined needs over funder-driven agendas. We work in rural, mountainous communities that are difficult to reach because that is where the needs are greatest. We are committed to long-term support so participants and communities have the time to build their resilience and initiate behavior change. We do not support band-aid solutions.
What donors say about us
– John Graham
“I believe wholeheartedly that the programs really make a difference in the lives of those choosing to be a part of them, both donors and recipients. It’s a win/win organization.”
– Trudy Bennett
“I support Help Lesotho because I know exactly where my money is going and how it is benefiting the people of Lesotho. Plus I have met the staff and they are extraordinary.”
– Jean McNabb
“Help Lesotho is reaching the grass roots level in Lesotho and they impact many, many people”.
– Hugh Dorward
“The part I like most about Help Lesotho is that they focus on what is needed the most: empowerment of girls and battle against gender based violence.”
– George Monese
“I know the support will be maximised to help people most in need in ways that are most beneficial for short and long term benefits.”
– Sheryl Selwyn
“I appreciate knowing that the money is actually going to those who need it and not to a bureaucracy.”
– R.J. Birnbaum
“Help Lesotho supports people in a deep and life-changing way, and not in a short-term, superficial way. It empowers people and gives them strength and new skills to navigate through life.”
– Patty Freeman
“It’s great to receive “real-time” updates about programs; the specific features on individuals, seeing updates directly from staff – it is clear the work is really being done!”
– Taylor Holmes
Help Lesotho was founded by Dr. Peg Herbert in 2004 (Executive Director 2004-2023). For the founding story and Dr. Herbert’s bio, click here.
Leading the team
Kate Lambert | Executive Director
Kate brings 14 years of experience with Help Lesotho. She joined the organization in 2009 to support Canadian activities connected to hosting Lesotho’s King Letsie III in honour of Help Lesotho’s 5th anniversary. Kate’s educational background in International Development and Project Management are the foundation for her work to support program development, monitoring and evaluation, and impact reporting. Kate works closely with the Canada team to manage fundraising and communication strategies while overseeing organizational operations. Kate has travelled to Lesotho numerous times to support partnerships and local staff development. Kate lives in Ottawa with her husband and son.
Sello Matsoso | Programs Director
Sello Matsoso is an accomplished professional with over ten years of experience in program management, organizational development and youth empowerment. Currently, as the Programs Director at Help Lesotho, he is responsible for overseeing youth development programs, managing grants, and implementing impactful social initiatives. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sello has previously held the role of Grant Implementation and Impact Manager, where he managed budgets, assessed program outcomes, and ensured compliance with donor requirements. Following his promotion to Programs Manager, he effectively led the Lesotho team and established strong partnerships with government agencies and Civil Society Organizations. Recognized for his exceptional leadership, problem-solving skills, and dedication to driving positive change, Sello is a respected community leader and a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, sustainability and community development.
Board of Directors
The Help Lesotho Board governs the management of the organization. The Board provides fiduciary oversight; contributes to, and oversees the implementation of Help Lesotho’s strategy; provides direction and approval for policies that reflect the organization’s mission and values; and ensures financial resources are managed appropriately. Individual Board members bring unique experience, expertise, perspective and wisdom to the Board and the organization. The Board works collaboratively to advance the mission and vision of Help Lesotho.
Kathleen Lauder | Chair
Kathleen Lauder is now retired and living in the Gatineau Hills, 30 minutes from Ottawa, Canada.
Kathleen’s career has been primarily in the area of Governance and International Development. She has worked for consulting firms and international development organizations, but the majority of her career was spent as a Director responsible for International Development with the Institute On Governance, based in Ottawa, Canada.
Kathleen lived and worked in Malaysia for 7 years where she led a project aimed at strengthening governance in the ASEAN countries. Most recently she was the Country Director for World Renew based in Cambodia. During her 6 years in Cambodia Kathleen provided leadership to local staff and local partners to empower poor and vulnerable populations in rural communities to manage their social and economic development.
Kathleen has been involved as a donor and volunteer with Help Lesotho since its inception. This brought her to Lesotho twice in its early years. She has great admiration for Help Lesotho’s sustainable, relevant and effective approaches to meeting the development challenges in Lesotho.
Marc-André Roy | Vice Chair
Marc-André is the Co-CEO of CPCS, a global management consulting firm specializing in infrastructure. He has worked for public and private sector clients in North America, Asia, South America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Africa.
His Board experience includes private sector and not-for-profit boards.
Marc-André has an international MBA from the Schulich School of Business and holds the ICD.D designation. He is fluent in English and French and is based in Ottawa, Canada. He joined the Board of Help Lesotho in February of 2024.
Jennifer Parr | Chair, Governance Committee
Jennifer Parr is a wife, a mother, an avid world traveller, and an Executive Leadership Coach who, for the last twenty years, has had the privilege of walking with leaders, in all sectors. She is passionate about inspiring and supporting her clients to achieve both success and significance through their leadership.
Jennifer has served on the Boards of a number of organizations whose mission it is to empower marginalized people groups to change the trajectory of their lives. Jennifer was a founding member of the Help Lesotho Board and previously served nine years on the Board. She has been to Lesotho nine times and understands firsthand the life changing work of the Help Lesotho approach and programs. She brings this wealth of experience to her second term on the board.
Jennifer has an M.B.A from the University of Western Ontario. Previous to becoming an executive coach, she was a Vice President of Human Resources in two large Canadian corporations.
Dave Johnston | Chair, Finance & Audit Committee
Dave is a retired Chartered Accountant living in Ottawa. His professional career was largely in the private sector helping business’s meet and exceed their financial goals and supporting and mentoring global business leaders and multinational finance teams. His latter career branched into business development, marketing and sales positions.
Dave served six years as Director of Finance and Auditing on the Board of the Ottawa Hunt Club. After learning of the impressive work of Help Lesotho and its positive impact for the Basotho people, Dave was delighted to join the Help Lesotho Board as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. He very much enjoys meeting our donors and engaging in ever more ways to contribute.
Susan Richardson | Chair, HR Committee
Susan has extensive senior executive experience with over 30 years experience in the information technology, insurance, finance and software industries. Her diverse areas of focus include; sales, operations, professional services, business development and customer service. She also brings extensive coaching experience in Financial Services, Capital Markets and advancement of women.
Susan’s career is built with a strong people and management foundation with 14 years experience at IBM. She has applied this to the fast paced world of two start-up organizations which culminated in the executive position of a North American Professional Services and Customer Care organization at a large software firm. In addition to her business interests, Susan is active in the not-for profit community. She has vast board experience in the areas of strategic planning, communications, governance, development, leadership and fundraising.
Amy Weber | Director
Dr. Amy Weber is a family physician and health advocate based in North Vancouver, BC. She earned her medical degree from the University of British Columbia in 2006. Prior to medical school, she worked as an epidemiologist in the field of HIV prevention.
Amy is a strong advocate for health equity. She believes the social determinants of health are driving forces in determining health outcomes.
Amy has worked in both Canada and internationally including South Africa. Amy has travelled to Lesotho numerous times and is the proud parent of two Basotho children. On a recent trip to Lesotho, she had the opportunity to visit the Help Lesotho Hlotse site with her children. This visit solidified her appreciation of the life-changing work being done through Help Lesotho. Participating on the board and contributing to the vital work being done is a privilege.
Call for Volunteer Board Members
Help Lesotho is always open to receiving expressions of interest from potential candidates who bring skills identified in our Board skills matrix. All expressions of interest will be reviewed by our Governance Committee who will identify candidates to bring forward to the full Board for consideration. We are grateful for all individuals who express an interest in serving Help Lesotho.
We are currently prioritizing candidates with lived experience in Lesotho as well as those with legal, financial, human resource or international cooperation expertise and experience. Help Lesotho is committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds.
Please click here to view the full posting details.
To submit an Expression of Interest, please complete this brief application form and attach your CV.
Please email info@helplesotho.org should you have any questions.
Thanks to RE/MAX Hallmark,
the Canadian office (Ottawa, ON) is rent-free!
Connect with Us!
We love hearing from you and welcome your questions and feedback!
info@helplesotho.org
613-369-5868
Connect with Us!
We love hearing from you and welcome your questions and feedback!
info@helplesotho.org
613-369-5868