Renee, Author at Help Lesotho

International Day of the Girl

by Renee | Oct 10, 2025 | Stories

On October 11, 2025, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of girls everywhere. The International Day of the Girl shines a light on the ongoing inequalities that too many girls still face around the world. It’s also a day to recognize the power of girls to create change, challenge injustice, and lead their communities toward a brighter future.

This year’s theme is “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis”. This theme reminds us that girls are not just victims of the world’s challenges, but are agents of transformation. Around the world, girls are organizing for climate action, demanding an end to violence, and reimagining what leadership looks like.

It is not only women who are affected when girls become brides, but entire societies. Communities that diminish the value and participation of girls and women limit their own possibilities for growth, stability and change.

Hlotse centre 2024 p4g graduates pose together

At Help Lesotho, we see this truth every day. Over 42% of Basotho women have experienced physical or sexual violence, with over 15% of women experiencing this before the age of 15. Additionally, women’ s freedom is often constrained by laws, societal norms, and a pervasive ideology of patriarchy, limiting their independence. While efforts have been made to introduce civil laws that address gender inequality, customary norms often prevail.

We wish to shine a light on the girls in our programs who are standing up for their rights, building confidence, pursuing their education, and leading with compassion to overcome gender inequality in Lesotho.

Meisi, a Pearl Girl and Pearl Girl Mentor, shared:

“Before I was stressed to say anything wrong. But being a Pearl Girl and Mentor helped me learn to talk and share ideas. Now I join everything and have things to say.” She went on to say, “I was always being told I am unique, just like unique pearl stones. I learned self-esteem and human rights. It really helped me be a leader. Next year I will be head girl at my school. Teachers could see my self-esteem so they chose me. I’m open with other people.”

Lisebo, a member of Help Lesotho’s Pearl Program, improved her self-esteem and learned how to believe in herself as she grows up. Now as a Pearl Girl Mentor, she is inspiring other girls.

Watch Lisebo's Story

The many stories from girls like Lisebo and Meisi are proof that when girls are supported, entire communities thrive. Our programs are dedicated towards helping girls in Lesotho gain access to education, psychosocial support, and safe spaces where they can heal, learn, grow, and lead.

So, on the International Day of the Girl, we want to share the incredible strength and leadership demonstrated by girls that will help push Lesotho into the future.

You can Change the Life of a Girl in Lesotho!

2024 Leaders-in-Training Impact Report

by Renee | Nov 8, 2024 | News About Help Lesotho

“I’ve healed, I’m revealed, I’m so happy”

– Tsoanelo

Help Lesotho’s most intensive annual program, Leaders-in-Training (LIT) equips young adults with the skills needed to transform their lives and become positive and influential leaders in their communities.

During the six-week training, participants learn about various topics, including effective communication and conflict resolution, self-awareness, and decision-making.

All programming is designed to strengthen their resilience and improve their relationships, emotional and mental health, allowing them not only to overcome the difficulties they face daily – including extreme poverty and limited employment opportunities, the devastating effect of HIV/AIDS in their lives, and more – but also to excel and thrive.

LIT Program Outcomes

All LIT attendees complete a post-training evaluation, assessing both the modules offered and their personal development before and after the training. Our graduates are:

More Resilient

Better Leaders

Better Equipped

I am now able to express myself, my thoughts and my emotions.

My communication has improved tremendously, and how I see myself, my confidence, esteem and how resilient I am has changed.

I look forward to the next day, without feeling down

Bokang

I plan on being an ambassador for change, beginning with young people… encouraging them to be better leaders of now and in future.

I plan on educating adolescents from my community about preventing unintended pregnancies and STIs

Mosa

The program has equipped me with strong communication skills which have been essential with my interactions with others.
I have learned how to effectively communicate my ideas, thoughts, and opinions in a clear concise manner, both verbally and in writing. These skills have been invaluable in my academic pursuits, interviews, and networking opportunities.

Puseletso

Most Important Things Learned During the Program

Nearly all participants ‘Agreed’ or ‘Strongly Agreed’ with the following statements:
I gained useful skills and knowledge in the program
I am able to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the program in my daily life
I am able to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the program to make positive changes in my community
I feel that the skills and knowledge learned in the program will be useful in the future

Pay-it-Foward

LIT participants are taught skills and strategies for community-based advocacy. Participants are encouraged to work in groups to develop ‘pay-it-forward’ initiatives to practice their skills. In doing so, the participants prove to themselves that they have the ability to be leaders for positive change. Beyond the end of the LIT program, the participants are able to apply their newfound confidence and leadership skills to continue taking action for the benefit of others.

Menstrual Hygiene Education and Provision of Supplies

Many female students in Lesotho miss up to a week of school each month due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products.
This group of LIT graduates collected hygiene products and donations from their community.
The supplies were distributed to grade 11 girls to help them attend school consistently, especially before their final exams.
The group held an educational session for students and teachers to dispel myths and misconceptions about menstruation.

Young Mother Support

This group identified a need to support young mothers in the community with baby supplies.
They collected donations of gently used baby clothes, bottles, blankets, diapers, and pacifiers.
The group assembled four baby-care packages and distributed them to young mothers at a local clinic.
The young mothers expressed gratitude and committed to pay-it-forward activities.
This project highlights the positive impact of redistributing resources to those in need.

Pay-it-forward was so important for me. I see how important it is to make change in my community and I’m going to continue.

Mamello, part of the Menstrual Hygiene Group

More about Our Graduates

Our LIT attendees are not just statistics; they are young adults who encounter not only the common issues faced by youth everywhere, but also additional challenges due to their circumstances.

I am passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation in the environmental space. I am also a single mother who is also a breadwinner of 4 family members. I am struggling with anxiety and minor depresssion. I am also passionate about community and youth leadership. There are thousand of girls like me and I hope to give them hope & way one day. Hence I apply to such program to gather those skills.

Lipalesa

Lineo

Lineo is a 26 year old Human Resources Management graduate from Butha-Buthe.
Lineo was one of our sponsored students and is currently a Smart Kids volunteer at Help Lesotho. She knows that she is making an impact in the kids lives and this helps her become a strong leader.

Her family experienced a life-altering event in 2020 and she still struggles to deal with the trauma and grief.

“I learned that it’s ok to grief the loss of my loved one’s but I also not grief until I loose myself and my strengths in the process.
I also learned that the little kindnesse can literally change someone’s life for the better.
I also learned that it’s good to have thriving spirit even in times of struggle.”

Tsokolo

Tsokolo experienced significant personal growth through the LIT Program. He gained self-awareness, developed advocacy skills, and improved his confidence.

As a result, he now understands the importance of making active decisions and no longer relies solely on the opinions of his friends or parents.

Tsokolo believes that the program has helped him heal and grow, and he is confident that this will support him in his journey to become a manager or supervisor.

“All the modules were excellent, but I liked mostly when we got to the point of ‘think win’, this has always been a barrier for me to cope in this world. I always underestimated myself, but now I know better.“