Sure, you know BLOOM. Your gracious support over the past 2 years has been tremendous. Many of you have traveled to Lesotho yourself, or know someone who has, or share that humanitarian empathy for the work BLOOM is doing. And, as some of you have found yourself in this same situation, answering the 'WHY LESOTHO?' question is one of the hardest.
I have found myself in that position many, many times. Why is BLOOM focusing in this tiny, landlocked country Lesotho? When, across its’ borders is a glamorous country filled with more potential for grants, support, and better understood by the world. What I have found, is if we can explain the WHY question of Lesotho—beyond our personal anecdotes, pictures, and experiences—the more effective we can be in implementing BLOOM’s programs, and, where it really counts…building support and awareness.
WHY LESOTHO?
-Landlocked. There are only a few other countries in the world that are solely dependant, and in a certain sense, at the mercy of another country. In this case, South Africa. Lesotho’s drive, passion and determination has allowed it to fend of invaders, exploitation, and emerge with a spirit that keeps Lesotho optimistic in the face of one of the highest HIV/AIDS, orphan, and poverty rates in the world. This pride in their country is the contagious bug that the Basotho uniquely have.
The implications being landlocked have on Lesotho are also some of the causes for its current situation. Economically, Lesotho is subject to, many times, higher costs due to the shipping costs associated with moving items across borders. Without coastline, those shipping costs are often not dictated by Lesotho. Because of its mountainous terrain, growing is difficult, which places a heavy reliance on shipping.
-Water. Lesotho’s cash crop. Liquid Gold. Because of its position in the mountains, water is the one commodity Lesotho has an abundance of. I encourage you to do some reading on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. An interesting project that in one sense has allowed Lesotho to, in theory, sell and benefit from this cash crop. This project was set up via a treaty between two countries—Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa as a bi-national agreement. This is a fascinating relationship, and an interesting cash crop, that we hope to educate more about. (http://www.lhwp.org.ls/)
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| Lesotho Highlands Water Project |
-Education. With poverty and orphan rates soaring, implications are felt on the education system. In short, a vicious cycle has occurred. Children attend school up through, what the western system would classify as, middle school. At that time a tuition system is needed to attend high school—an obvious challenge for many. If students are fortunate enough to attend high school, an even smaller number advance to university. And while this is all going on, the simple fact that there are little to no jobs in country for the Basotho remains. Many go unemployed, feeling unfulfilled or unable to share their expertise, and in turn provide for their families or villages. However, more and more Basotho are looking toward its neighbor, South Africa, as a land of opportunity, and many decide to make the trek across the border. Implications of this are a ‘brain-drain’ (if you will) of many educated members of Lesotho society. University educated lawyers, businessmen, doctors, and scientists, now practicing in South Africa. In a sense, Lesotho is losing many of its citizens who they have educated.
I hope this editorial helps paint a picture of some the various dynamics impacting Lesotho, and helps you understand the ever important ‘WHY’ question. The topics above are only a few of the many, and a dusting of the information that can be found within them. In the coming months, BLOOM hopes to highlight many of these ‘WHY’ questions for you, and we encourage you to share the ‘WHY LESOTHO?’ story with your friends, colleagues, and family. The ‘perfect storm’ of factors impacting Lesotho is present, which makes the value of working with the Basotho people on the various BLOOM projects and initiatives so high.
Khotso,
Jon
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