Brianne Smith, Author at Help Lesotho

Help Lesotho x The Hub

by Brianne Smith | Aug 29, 2025 | General, News About Help Lesotho, Updates

Help Lesotho recently partnered with The Hub in Morija to lead a workshop on psychosocial support, a core element of both our organizations’ work.

What is Psychosocial Support?

Psychosocial support provides emotional, psychological and social assistance to help individuals and communities cope with adversity, stress and trauma, ultimately promoting mental well-being and resilience. This type of support goes beyond individual counseling — it includes education, building strong community networks and nurturing relationships that allow people to heal and thrive in the context of their social environment.

The communities where Help Lesotho and The Hub work are very remote, with limited access to mental health resources. For this reason, it is essential to share psychosocial support strategies as widely as possible, equipping community members with the tools to look after themselves and to support others.

The workshop introduced participants to practical ways of integrating psychosocial care into daily life. Key sessions focused on:

Practicing empathy through active listening: helping participants understand how to create safe spaces where others feel heard and valued.
Building and strengthening resilience: exploring strategies to manage stress, recover from setbacks and foster inner strength/resilience.

teaching a lesson on psychosocial support at The Hub

By the end of the workshop, participants left with concrete skills to support their own well-being, as well as to uplift others in their families and communities. This partnership underscores the importance of collaboration in reaching even the most remote areas of Lesotho with messages of hope, resilience, and care.

All photo credits to The Hub in Morija.

International Youth Day: Building Hope in Uncertain Times

by Brianne Smith | Aug 12, 2025 | News About Help Lesotho

**“How is Lesotho?“**

The answer is heavy, uncertain, and deeply concerning.

We’ve had years of steady progress with more people than ever accessing HIV treatment, glimmers of hope in job creation and economic growth, and a significant shift towards social justice. Over the last few months, the positive changes have slowed and in some cases reversed.

The New York Times published an article “How the Threat of Trump’s Highest Tariff Derailed an African Nation” that is worth a read. “Perhaps nowhere else on the planet has the impact of the mere threat of tariffs been more visible than in Maseru, Lesotho’s capital and manufacturing hub, where companies like Walmart, JCPenney, Levi’s and even the Trump brand get clothes produced to sell in the United States. The looming 50 percent tariff led many American companies to stop placing orders. That led some factories to shut down part or all of their production, leading to thousands of layoffs that devastated low-wage workers who live hand-to-mouth and have gone weeks or months without a stable income.”

Today marks International Youth Day. As an organization committed to empowering youth to build resilience and create positive change in their families and communities, we celebrate those who are persevering in this particularly difficult time. Just last week we heard from three of our recent ‘Get-a-Job’ participants who shared that they were finally successful at landing job interviews and securing jobs. Even more than celebrating these individual successes, we recognize the love and support their peers showed them. This is often one of Help Lesotho’s strongest impacts – establishing supportive communities that endure long beyond the formal end of our workshops and trainings.

We recently shared that amongst the latest developments in Lesotho, the government declared unemployment as a national crisis. The challenge to reverse the current stalled progress and ensure sustainable, long-term opportunities for growth is daunting. Lesotho’s youth deserve more than promises. At Help Lesotho, we are committed to walking alongside them, building pathways that turn resilience into results.

When you support Help Lesotho, you are helping to create a generation of young leaders ready to build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their country.

A Typical Week at the Hlotse Centre

by Brianne Smith | Aug 11, 2025 | General

Our Hlotse Centre is always a hub of activity! In the video below, you’ll get a 1-minute overview of what a typical week looks like. From kindergarten dance parties to GIRL4ce practice sessions, and of course, lots of singing and dancing!

Lesotho declares youth unemployment a national crisis

by Brianne Smith | Jun 24, 2025 | General, News About Help Lesotho

In a bold but sobering move, the Government of Lesotho has officially declared youth unemployment a national crisis. This comes after years of rising joblessness and deepening poverty across the country, particularly among young people. According to recent figures, 38 percent of youth, and 41 percent of young women, are unemployed in Lesotho, with the country already facing significant structural economic challenges (AllAfrica, 2025).

Unlike other countries in the region, Lesotho has a limited industrial base and few large employers. The economy relies heavily on textiles, subsistence agriculture, and migrant labor. For decades, many Basotho have had to leave the country to seek work in South Africa, often under precarious conditions. At home, lack of opportunity has led to stagnation, frustration, and an increasingly vocal youth population.

In response, Lesotho’s government pledged M400 million to support youth-led businesses and outlined a new emergency plan that includes policy reform, entrepreneurship support and education initiatives.

“Youth unemployment in Lesotho is a ticking time bomb, and the government is not doing anything,” said Francis Rapeane of the Basotho Action Party (AllAfrica, 2025).

Why this matters to Help Lesotho:

Youth empowerment is central to our mission
We celebrate the government’s recognition of this crisis and its commitment to invest in solutions. For nearly two decades, Help Lesotho has been working directly with youth to build skills, confidence, and hope. We know real change requires more than funding—it demands long-term support, accountability, and leadership from youth themselves.

System-level impact aligns with our programs
The proposed reforms echo the work we already do on the ground—helping young people build small enterprises, offering life skills and employment training, and advocating for inclusive economic policies. This national response presents a unique chance to scale these efforts with broader impact.

A window for partnership
With youth unemployment at the forefront of national policy, there is a critical opening for NGOs, donors, and the private sector to work together. Help Lesotho is especially excited about the potential for youth-led proposals to guide program design and implementation.

Lesotho’s youth deserve more than promises, they deserve a future with opportunity. At Help Lesotho, we are committed to walking alongside them, building pathways that turn resilience into results.

When you support Help Lesotho, you are helping to create a generation of young leaders ready to build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their country.

Meet the Help Lesotho Professional Interns!

by Brianne Smith | Jun 16, 2025 | General, News About Help Lesotho

Help Lesotho’s Professional Intern Program is a three-year opportunity for emerging leaders from our youth programs. Over that time, standout leaders became integral members of our team, growing their skills in leadership, communication and community engagement. The Professional Interns below have worked together to lead impactful initiatives and support the many activities at our two centres. As their internships end, we’re incredibly proud of their growth and grateful to have had them as part of the Help Lesotho family!

Sebolelo, professional intern, help lesotho

Sebolelo is from Ha-‘Makhoroana in Berea, and like most of the other PIs, she first got involved with Help Lesotho through the Leaders-in-Training Program where she was identified as a standout leader!

“My favorite part working with Help Lesotho is that I meaningfully contribute to programs that make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people, while developing skills to address the challenges they face.”

Sebolelo is bubbly, warm and caring. She has a gift for connecting with even the most shy or hesitant children, earning their trust and helping them feel seen. One of her proudest moments came when children in an after-school program thanked her for believing in them and helping them prepare for tests, a simple gesture that reminded her of the real difference her work makes.

Itumeleng, from Saint Monica’s in Leribe, first got involved with Help Lesotho in 2022 through the Leaders-in-Training Program. She is full, and we mean FULL, of energy! Give her a microphone and watch out world!

“My favorite part about working at Help Lesotho has been the opportunity I am given to make a direct impact on the lives of vulnerable communities. Changing the lives of those who had given up, or are dealing with self-esteem issues, fulfils my heart, because at some point, I was there too.”

Itumeleng is proud of how much she has grown personally and professionally. She dreams of becoming a psychologist so she can continue helping others heal and thrive.

itumeleng, professional intern, help lesotho

Ncheme, professional intern, help lesotho

Ncheme, from Mphosong, became a professional intern after completing Help Lesotho’s Computer and Life Skills Program, where he gained hands-on experience in training, content creation and IT support.

“One of the things I enjoy most about working with Help Lesotho is the opportunity to build my leadership skills while unleashing my creativity.”

He is proud of the life skills sessions he’s led, helping participants gain the knowledge and confidence to make positive changes. He is often quiet but lands the funniest jokes, and he always makes a statement with his fashion!

Looking ahead, Ncheme hopes to further develop his IT and digital marketing skills to increase his impact even more.

Mathapelo is from the village of Makhoaneng near Pitseng. She completing the Leaders-in-Training and Get a Job programs before being hired as an intern. She loves children and build such special relationships with them. She is kind and thoughtful to all she meets.

“My favorite part about working with Help Lesotho is being able to create a safe and peaceful environment for everyone who visits the Centre so they can freely heal, learn and grow.”

Mathapelo is proud to see how the sessions and activities she facilitates help people transform their lives. She hopes to continue supporting community initiatives, advocating for marginalized groups and raising awareness about mental health.

Mathapelo, professional intern, help lesotho

Mohao, professional intern, help lesotho

Mohau, is from Naleli, Maseru. His journey with Help Lesotho began as a participant in the Leaders-in-Training Program and also volunteering with the Smart Kids program. He has two modes: head-down, working hard, very focused and quiet OR booming voice, high energy, singing his heart out!

“Seeing the real impact we have on people’s lives, helping individuals gain confidence, knowledge, and tools to create a better future is the most rewarding part.”

His future goals include advancing his education in social work or psychology and continuing to grow as a leader in community development.