Leaders – in – Training 2021 Impact Report
Overview: Annually, 60 youth participate in this intensive six-week program to foster behaviour change, build resilience, promote healthy decision-making and self-management and foster leadership in a new generation of young leaders in Lesotho. Without support, disenfranchised young people plagued by poverty, disease and isolation are likely to engage in unhealthy behaviour and may become a burden on society. Leaders-in-Training (LIT) develops the capacity and skills of young people to identify and deal with the profound impact of AIDS and poverty in their lives, and then to become leaders, benefitting themselves, their communities and all of Lesotho. LIT graduates are more likely to get jobs due to their improved emotional intelligence and professionalism.
At the end of the 2021 program, 95% of participants assessed the program as ‘Excellent’ (5% as ‘Good’).Outcomes:
- Outcome #1: Youth increase their resilience
| Indicator | Percent of participants who increased their confidence | Percent of participants who felt ‘very confident’ at the end of the program |
| I feel confident asking for help | 70% | 98% |
| I feel confident standing up for my rights | 35% | 93% |
| I feel confident making good decisions | 60% | 95% |
| I feelt confident setting goals and working towards them | 70% | 86% |
| I feel confident communicating my thoughts and emotions | 86% | 91% |
| I feel confident that others see me as a role model | 63% | 88% |
| I feel confident that others can rely on me for help | 47% | 98% |
- Outcome #2: Youth improve their knowledge and attitude toward HIV/AIDS and gender equity
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- All participants said they improved their knowledge and have a healthier attitude towards HIV/AIDS and gender equity (on average, 17% ‘agreed’ and 83% ‘strongly agreed’).
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- Participants reported these areas as the most significant changes:
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- Realizing that people with HIV can live long, healthy lives
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- Understanding that people in relationships (even marriages) still need sexual consent
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- Learning that there is no need to be scared of people with HIV – and that everyone has a role to fight against discrimination
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- Outcome #3: Youth learn skills and strategies to help their community and apply the strategies
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- 96% of participants gained useful skills and knowledge
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- 100% of participants are applying skills and knowledge from the program in their daily lives
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- 100% of participants are applying skills and knowledge from the program to make positive changes in their communities
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The skills and knowledge I have gained have changed my life. I now have self-esteem and I can make my own decisions regardless what others think about me.”
I learned that I am actually a leader, but for the longest time I have eased my potential to exercise this particular skill. I am now in touch with my inner-self I understand myself better, my values and principles. I now want to continue with the skills I gained to empower and educate other people. I will bring positive change.”
| Helping Others | 2021 | |
| Did you learn strategies to help make positive changes in your community? | 100% | 100% |
| If YES , are you applying these strategies? | 92% | 95% |
Leaders-in-Training Participant Profiles:
“The opportunity I had with Help Lesotho’s ‘Leaders-in-Training’ program was a great chance for learning and professional development. I consider myself a very lucky individual as I was provided with an opportunity to be part of it. I am also grateful for having a chance to meet so many wonderful people and professionals who led me through this period.
The modules made me reflect on myself and people around me, how I handled challenging situations and dealt with them. I gained self-confidence and started respecting myself and be who I am again.
Modules like rape, sexual assault and domestic violence made me realize how women go through challenging matters and cannot even report because of lack of knowledge, the fear of being judged and self-blame. Now that I know better, I will raise awareness and make them see their worth and help them regain their self-confidence.
I perceive this opportunity as a big milestone in my career development. I will strive to use the gained skills and knowledge in the best possible way.” – Kelebone, 26
“My name is Lerotholi Edward Mota, aged 24. I have a diploma in teaching secondary sciences majoring in biology and chemistry and I am currently working as a private high school teacher.
Both my parents are deceased and I live with my cousins and younger brother. I enrolled in Leadership in Training program from March to April 2021 with courage from a friend. From deep within as a person I never thought the program with its modules will bring the good out of me. The sessions helped me to unfold and I got to know the real me through the self-awareness, self-esteem and role model sessions.
I learned that our Basotho culture plays a huge role in making men bitter and cruel because they are not supposed to cry or express grief even over the loss of a loved one. All this anger is making our families more dangerous.
I want to help others, especially boys and men, to express their emotions and build better coping mechanisms.
As a young teacher dealing with children and teenagers, getting to interact with Help Lesotho staff and facilitators helped me boost my self-esteem, behaviour and personal traits that will help me to do my work with ease. The program helped me sharpen my communication skills and equipped me with skills in building healthy relationships. I am now able to know and take responsibility for my own decisions and take a clear stand for what I believe in.”
