Meet GIRL4ce Member, Mosa:
“A Different Mosa, a New Me”

Mosa’s life was once defined by cruelty and violence. Growing up, he was abused and encouraged to fight, despite his own aversion to violence. He found an escape and a new purpose through a Facebook post promoting applications to GIRL4ce, Help Lesotho’s edutainment program committed to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and child marriage. For him this was an opportunity to be part of something meaningful in a way that would allow him to break free from the cycle of violence that had defined his past.

As a GIRL4ce member, Mosa’s acting is particularly impactful. He often takes on the challenging role of characters who are perpetrators of violence and abuse. This allows him to “divide” himself into two parts—the actor and the person—and to use his art to connect with others whose lives are impacted by abuse. Being part of GIRL4ce has allowed Mosa to heal and feel empowered, saying, “when I wear those clothes, I know I am not Mosa.”

Mosa can often be found at the Help Lesotho Leadership Centre long before and after GIRL4ce rehearsals and performances. He says, “it just feels like a place I need to be. I want to be around these people. Being here, surrounded by people who treat each other with respect, feels right.”

His connection with Help Lesotho, GIRL4ce, and particularly Psychosocial Support Officer Motopi, who regularly checks in on him, has been instrumental in his transformation. Phone calls with Motopi helped him stop fighting and turn away from violence.

Mosa describes this shift as becoming a “different Mosa, a new me.” Being part of GIRL4ce has completely changed his life and has given him a new beginning, and now he is paying it forward with his inspiring performances.

Mosa’s ability to influence others has become his driving force. He considers it a blessing to see people change because of the roles he plays. He stands in front of people knowing he has the power to change their perspectives which is something he always wanted to do. Through his art he has found a platform to advocate for a future free from violence.

What is the Smart Kids program?

The initiative was born out of the amplified need to support kids with education and mental health support in 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, when children attended school only on a weekly basis. For example, they would go to school just once a week, and teachers assigned a significant amount of homework for them to complete at home.

The project was established to assist these children, many of whom live in child-headed families or with grandparents and guardians who are often not educated, making it difficult for them to provide support. In essence, this literacy project aims to help children with their schoolwork while also offering social-emotional support.

The need is ever-present and the impact has been far greater than we would have imagined!

Stories from Our Smart Kids Volunteers

Volunteering with Help Lesotho has helped me heal and find purpose. I’ve gained a sense of fulfillment and joy in helping others, and I’ve developed empathy and understanding for the challenges that children in my community face. This experience has taught me the value of giving back and has helped me grow as a person.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in my community, and I hope that my story can inspire others to do the same. By sharing my experience, I want to emphasize the importance of volunteering and giving back. It’s a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Meet Reitumetse: “Now I Can Stand on My Feet”

When we arrived at the small home where 13-year-old Reitumetse Leleka lives with his aunt, uncle, and young cousin, he greeted us with a shy smile—one that quickly grew wider as he realized we had come to hear his story.

Three years ago, Reitumetse moved from the remote highlands to live with his aunt Bohlokoa, an unemployed teacher who rents a tiny shack to tutor local children. His uncle works as a self-employed mechanic, and Reitumetse proudly helps by handing him tools. The move meant leaving his younger brother behind with their grandmother so that he could attend school—a sacrifice he carries with quiet determination.

When he first heard about Help Lesotho’s Guys4Good program, he didn’t know what it was, only that it was a chance to learn. He signed up immediately.

What happened next changed everything.

His aunt sees it too.
“You can see the change,” she told us. “He shows leadership now. He’s responsible at home. He listens. He engages with other kids in a new way.”

Our Guys4Good program enrolls grade 7 students in monthly workshops over the course of a year to empower them to build confidence in preparation for starting high school (which begins at grade 8) with strong self-esteem and commitment to working hard.

At the time our team interviewed Reitumetse, the grade 7 exam results were not yet published. Reitumetse assured us that he knew he performed well. Fast forward to last week when the exam results were released – Reitumetse placed in the top ten in the entire country!!

Reitumetse lights up when he talks about the friends he’s made—especially his best friend, Mohati. The two of them, he says, spend their time “talking talking talking!”—doing homework, discussing ideas, and dreaming big.