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Meet five women in Lesotho who are being bold for change in their communities.
#beboldforchange
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#1) Rethabile
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Despite losing her mother at age six and growing up with a father with mental illness, Rethabile is an incredibly strong, bold, inspirational young woman. Ever since learning about special education, Rethabile felt she was called to work with children with disabilities. She learned sign language and is now a volunteer with a foundation that is empowering deaf children to reach their potential.
Just a few weeks ago, Rethabile’s family kicked her out of her home because she refused to marry her boyfriend. She is now staying with a friend while she continues to volunteer and attend Help Lesotho’s Leaders-in-Training Program. Rethabile explains,
“I stood up to them and they expelled me from the family. I don’t understand why they would do that to me but I’ve stayed strong.”
When asked why she did not want to marry her boyfriend, Rethabile said,
“I don’t think my life will move forward properly if I marry this man. I know God can make things better if I stand to empower me and change my life for myself. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and I need to marry someone I love. I don’t want a man just to buy me things – I want real love.”
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#2) Matsepo
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As a young mother to two children, Matsepo is being bold by reducing the fear that exists around testing for HIV/AIDS. Prior to joining Help Lesotho’s Young Mother Program, Matsepo says that she did not know much about the virus that has decimated her country. After learning that people who test positive for HIV can still live long, healthy lives if they take the proper treatment, Matsepo had herself and her two children tested. She plans to be tested regularly, and is encouraging other young mothers to get themselves and their children tested as well.
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#3) Tlalane
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“Would you believe I was shy in Primary School? Now I am a different person”.
At the 2016 Leadership Camp, Tlalane shared that she has been working hard to build her confidence so she can go after her dream of working in television. One of Tlalane’s friends recently introduced her to an older man who wanted to buy her gifts in exchange for a sexual relationship. Tlalane was tempted by the idea of nice clothes and the social status that comes from having a boyfriend with a car, however she boldly decided to remain focused on her studies and creating a bright future.
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“Actually, what makes us different is what makes us special. If I don’t have something that my friend has, that is okay because it makes me special. I want to have a job with money that I know I worked hard for.”
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#4) Madompane
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Many girls in Lesotho are taught to accept things the way they are. Even if a girl is being abused, threatened, or forced into unwanted behaviour, it is expected that the girl will stay silent. Madompane used to be one of these girls, but now she is a bold young woman who is standing up for young people in her community who need to learn about healthy decision making, avoiding risky behaviour that could lead to HIV, STIs, or pregnancy, and staying confident in the face of challenges.
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#5) Relebohile
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Having just completed her final year of high school, Relebohile recognizes that she is at an important decision point in her life. Many of the girls who she grew up with are already married and having children. Relebohile could join them – but instead, she boldly joined Help Lesotho’s GIRL4ce program so she can raise awareness about gender-based violence. Through the GIRL4ce training, Relebohile says that she has changed the way she sees things in the outside world.
“I don’t keep quiet now, and if I see someone abused or married and a younger age or trafficked I can do something about it.”
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#beboldforchange
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