After Awareness

At the beginning of this month, I was fortunate enough to travel to Lesotho for the first time with the Springfield Rotary. As a Wittenberg student, I was very familiar with the country through the stories of my friends who had traveled there during service trips in the summer. I watched many come back changed with a new outlook on life after just one month in the country. But even though I heard all the stories, I was completely unprepared for the influence this trip would have on me. And in fact, I am still having trouble putting into words exactly how it is that I am changed.

            

Above all, the trip made me aware of so many issues that go unnoticed or ignored in my daily life. I learned what the term “economic disparity” actually means for our country as well as abroad. The question came up throughout the trip of why we should put our efforts into helping other countries when there are people right here in the U.S. experiencing extreme poverty. I myself thought about this a lot. I believe it’s so important for us to give back to the communities we live in, and contribute our own assets to the growth of own neighborhoods. But this trip showed me that I am also a part of a global community. The people of Lesotho are also my neighbors. Kaofela rea tsoana. We are all the same.

With children after a hike in Roma, Lesotho

The second half of our trip, we traveled down toward Capetown, stopping to go on safari, hiking up to the lighthouse at Cape Point, and taking the boat out to Seal Island. The transition from being a visitor in Lesotho to a tourist in South Africa was one of the strangest and most eye-opening aspects of the trip. And for me, it solidified the global awareness I felt I had gained through my experience.

            

But I think the biggest feeling I’ve experienced is this question of, what now? What comes after awareness? At times in Lesotho, and during our time in South Africa, I was overwhelmed by the poverty and the inequality that exists there. How do we even begin to combat a problem this big? And how do we do it from so far away? I think that part of the challenge of international service is communicating the story of Lesotho to the people back home. Raising awareness is the first part of my job now that I’ve had the opportunity to travel there myself and become acutely aware of the poverty in this country. But we also have an opportunity to go one step further.

On our last day in Lesotho, we visited the high school in Maseru to meet the newly formed Interact Club there. During our meeting, a boy named Theko performed a poem for us that he had written himself. In it, he told us about his life, how both of his parents were lost and described in detail what a life on the streets means for the youth in Lesotho. Hard work and long hours for little pay is the most many youth in Lesotho can hope to achieve. Theko told us the very things that we hear every day but still don’t seem to know about—children waiting for leftovers on the street with no home to go to at the end of the day and no one to care for them when they get sick. But despite these odds, the last stanza of his poem was filled with hope:

Damn it, it’s okay.

It’s okay with me being a resist

But one thing for sure

I will step on stones that

Haters throw at me

Till I make it to the top

And show future what I will hold for it

Because it’s not what the future holds for me,

But what I hold for it.

Theko, standing left of his teacher, at his High School

The last lines of this poem show a spirit in the Basotho that is just waiting to bloom. Theko has the power to change not only his future, but the future of his community. I think that Theko is a minority in the sense that his hope is at the surface. Many of the kids in Lesotho still need to be empowered, to be given the tools and the chance to change their futures. Hidden under the gravity of each of their situations is the strength they need to change it. This is where we can help. After awareness comes our ability to equip youth like Theko with the resources they need to be the change in Lesotho and uncover the possibilities of a brighter future.

Khotso,

Catie 

Catie Stipe is finishing her senior year at Wittenberg University, and visited Lesotho in March 2012.

What Hunger Games Are We Playing?

This weekend, I’ve heard the word “hunger” a lot.  Just about every time, it’s been about the movie “The Hunger Games.” This movie is based on the novel, which really gained popularity while I was serving as a volunteer in South Africa.  So naturally, I feel pretty left out from the public discourse on this book and movie.  So for me, each time I heard or saw someone speaking about the debut of this movie, I got caught up on a memory of the last time I confronted true hunger.

Three weeks ago, I left for a 10-day trip back to Lesotho.  I was so excited to travel back, especially since friend and fellow BLOOM Africa team member, William Thomas, joined me.  I always enjoy exploring Lesotho with close friends.  It allows me to share my passions and the place that has changed my life forever.  And despite my overall excitement to return, there was a calm subtleness to my voyage.  I was going home, and I was comfortable with that.

After working off the jet lag and initial arrival activities, we headed to the Mountain Kingdom in the Sky.  Oh, it was good to be back.  Besides the obvious ambiance and majestic mountainous backdrops, I was simply happy to see the friends I’ve made over the years. 

In Roma, I have befriended a particular family since 2009.  The family consists of a grandmother and her four grandchildren, who she has to raise because of the ravishing affects of HIV/AIDS.  The children’s ages range from 13 to 4 years.  I have created a special bond with the grandmother, who is able to speak enough English so we can share in conversation each time we see each other.  And over the years, I have become friends with 13 year old Tiisetso. 

Reuniting with grandmother Rose

When I first traveled to Lesotho in 2009, Tiisetso was an outgoing and rambunctious 10 year old.  Despite not speaking much English, he and I were able to create a bond and friendship that transcended barriers.  And although we didn’t share a lot of words, laughter was our common bond.  This friendship continued as I visited Lesotho multiple times in 2010 and 2011.  Even as I walk throughout the village now, children come up and say, “Aren’t you Tiisetso’s friend?”

So when I returned this month and noticed a difference in Tiisetso’s smile and charisma, I was worried.  I could tell right away that something wasn’t right with my friend.  His glowing smile was hard to find.  And despite growing a bit in height, he seemed more slender than I had remembered.  He was becoming a teenager, but the amount of food his family was able to provide was still the same as when he was a child, if not less.  I felt the difference in Tiisetso’s persona, so one day I asked him, “What’s wrong?”  And his simple, but profound, response was, “I’m hungry.”

I had no reply.  What could I say or do that would change the way he felt.  I have never felt that kind of hunger in my life.  I’ve been blessed my whole life, not only to always be satisfied, but to often have the choice in what I ate.  It was, perhaps, one of the only times in my life where I was left completely speechless.  Holding back the tears and anger wasn’t easy as I tried to change the subject.  Tiisetso somberly got up from under the tree and started kicking a dilapidated soccer ball.  Since that time, I can’t get the thought of hunger out of my mind.

So as the nation (and world) head to the theaters to watch a new movie, I can’t help but think of my friend half a world away.  For me, the real hunger game is not a game or fictional scenario.  In fact, it’s a matter of life, happiness, and even death.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a great novel and movie to let our imaginations run wild.  Imagination is what creates hope and hope is what creates futures.  And honestly, I wish every time I heard the word ‘hunger’ or ‘hungry’ I didn’t have a story of my friend in Lesotho, barely able to speak or crack a smile because of his lack of food.  But I can’t help this feeling or thought.

And so, I will be a more thoughtful consumer.  I will not overeat.  I will use my purchase power as a consumer to buy foods that come from an organic and local source.  I will think of my hungry friends around the world every time I enjoy a fulfilling meal.  And I will fight for an end to unnecessary hunger, especially in children, in Lesotho.  And hopefully one day, the concept of hunger for Tiisetso and others will be exactly what it should be…a fictional game.

Khotso,

Andrew

This blog entry was written by BLOOM Africa director, Andrew Steele

Back To Where The Heart Is

Six years ago I took a trip that influenced who I am today. I was fortunate to be one of 30 Wittenberg students to travel to Lesotho with Professor Rosenberg. The trip exposed me to another part of the world and to a country that I did not know existed before. Today, Lesotho feels like my second home.

It was easy to fall in love with Lesotho’s beauty and the friendly and welcome spirit of the Basotho (people of Lesotho.) The smiling faces of the children became a part of me. The work we did in orphanages, Habitat for Humanity locations, and an AIDS clinic opened my eyes.  Holding the hand of a young orphan infected with HIV gave me an understanding of the depth of the virus; of the immense effect it was having on the people of Lesotho. I saw the need- one in four Basotho are infected with HIV/AIDS and the result is over a 100,000 orphans in the small country- but I also felt the incredible potential of this beautiful country. The experience inspired a group of us to create BLOOM Africa.

Two weeks ago, after six long years away, I had the opportunity to return to Lesotho with my brother Andrew Steele. As we crossed the border during the darkness of the night into Lesotho, I rolled down my window and was immediately greeted by the distinct smell I remembered. Tears filled my eyes listening to the beautiful singing welcome of the school children.  I was overcome with goosebumps. I couldn’t believe I was finally back.

I can remember as a kid watching the Lion King and dreaming of a faraway place of Africa. This continent, that was once just a dream to visit, has now become a reality in my life. Now, I have visited twice, and we have a team of amazing volunteers around the world devoting their time to help with BLOOM Africa. In all, our return to the nation of Lesotho was surreal.

While there, I was continuously confronted with the phrase Kaofela rea tsoana....We Are All the Same. Through travel and meeting people from all different walks of life, the phrase encapsulated the truth I've learned. As humans we all share common hopes and dreams that binds us together. During our trip, we visited project sites, spoke with leaders in the community, shook the King’s hand, and met with local and international NGOs to learn and collaborate. There is great work still to done in Lesotho, but I am optimistic and re-energized that working with the Basotho and BLOOM Africa there is a brighter future ahead for the children of Lesotho.

“Maybe I’m a hopeless optimist.  Maybe I’m naïve.  Maybe I’m unrealistic.  Maybe my educational expertise isn’t sufficient to anticipate how much can and will go wrong.  Or maybe I just can’t bear the thought of failing the kids again.  It doesn’t matter.  I’m all in.  And for the long haul.”

-Dr. William Henk

Thank you for sharing in BLOOM Africa’s dream.


Peace,


William


This blog entry was written by William Thomas, BLOOM Africa Deputy Director.

Meetings - Lesotho Style: Lesotho Update #2

Andrew and Billy have been staying busy with meetings, meetings and more meetings! Check out the details of their fun, educational and motivational engagements below....

On Thursday:
We met with the Principal of Fatima Primary School in Ramabanta,
Lesotho. We heard about the struggles, the challenges, the successes,
and the opportunities at her school.

We also met with Lerato, who is a leader in the village. She spoke to
us about how great her village is, as well as the crushing realities
of HIV/AIDS and orphans in her village. She will be a great partner
for BLOOM.

We had some nice meetings with ladies that are making and selling
scarves and knit hats from scratch, all the way from the stage of
receiving wool, to spinning it, to knitting it. We also met with a
guy in the community that makes art from rocks that he grounds.

On Friday morning:

We met with the the Principal of the primary school in Roma and the
the lady volunteering her time to run Leratong Community Center. It
was very insightful hearing from both of them.

We also met with Little Angels to check up on our project there. The
water is running perfectly and the kids were all smiling. We spoke
with Rose and Kennedy there and dropped off shoes for kids there
without them.

We have built some very nice relationships during our time here, as
well as learned how to best work with the Basotho people. We are
looking forward to updating you in more detail!

Another post full of big things for BLOOM and the orphans of Lesotho!! The BLOOM team is looking forward to creating lasting relationships and designing projects with all of these wonderful people!

Kings, Kids & Colleges: Lesotho Update #1

Lumela, friends! Andrew and Billy have been extremely busy the past few days in Lesotho. All of their hard work is paying off, though, as they continue to make new connections and generate new support for BLOOM. Here is a look at what they've accomplished, what they've been doing and what they'll be bringing back to the BLOOM Africa team!

We are currently in Maseru after meeting with a professor who teaches at the National University of Lesotho.

We arrived in Lesotho on Saturday night after a busy day of driving and seeing some folks. Sunday we spent the day in the community in Roma, and did some hiking. After spending the morning with some children in the village, we traveled to visit the Lesotho Child's Counseling Unit. This was a place of safety for children who have been badly abused or abandoned. The Wittengerg trips have been going to this site for the last number of years and volunteering there. Sadly, in November, the structure caught fire and was completely burned down. It was very sad to be back and see the charred ashes of a building that used to have so much happiness and joy inside its walls.

On Monday we spent the day with the Springfield Rotary Club in Motsekua, where they were dedicating the orphanage they have funded. His Majesty King Letsie III attended the large celebration, and gave the closing remarks at the program. After the program, we had lunch with His Majesty, and both William and I were able to meet him and discuss BLOOM Africa and our vision. We also connected with contacts from the US Embassy. After the event, we visited a school and orphanage, and spent time with the school's principal. We learned a lot about the challeneges that primary and high schools are now facing in Lesotho.

Tuesday was a busy day for us, spent in Maseru. We spent the moring at Kick4Life, an NGO using soccer to combat HIV and empower youth. We met the new director and are excited about the potential to work together in the future. That afternoon we had a meeting with the Director of the Peace Corps in Lesotho, and gained many new contacts that will be beneficial to moving forward. Later in the afternoon we met with our contacts who run soccer tournaments in Thaba Bosiu that promote healthy living and empowerment.

Today we met with the professor and will be visiting Little Angels. This afternoon we will head to Ramabanta where we will spend two nights. We hope to speak to some teachers there to hear of the difficulties of teaching in rural Lesotho. We will not have access to internet until Friday evening.

Yesterday was Billys birthday and we certainly celebrated in a good fashion! We raced up a mountain with just enough time to spare to catch the sunset, another beautiful evening in the Mountain Kingdom.

Love you all and wish you were here!!!

Big things are coming our way, folks!! Stay tuned for more updates, more good news and more ways you can help us help the orphans of Lesotho!

**Should anyone want/need to get ahold of either Andrew or Billy, you may call their Lesotho cell phone at (266) 57 40 27 93.