Rural Poverty Reimagined

I used to believe eradicating the rural poverty experienced by my countrymen was a challenge that was impossible to tackle. I’d ask myself where does one begin, and even how. It is widely known that the rural population of Lesotho experiences poverty and the impacts of HIV/AIDS on a much larger scale than those living in urban Lesotho. I would like to believe there is no argument to this. My understanding of rural poverty in Lesotho is that it is perpetuated by resource scarcity. The resources I’m referring to range from educational, economic to even social. These are aspects that drive a state and its people. This type of situation is not unique to Lesotho alone, economic/social centers are usually found in urban areas. However, what I believe further intensifies rural poverty and the lack of resources, is the geographic setting of Lesotho.  Lesotho is entirely mountainous, so we have villages that are quite difficult to access. You find that even the most minimal of services are not provided for people living outside the city. As a result, all across Lesotho we have communities unable to reach their fullest potential.  There is such a distinct difference between children living closer to the city and those living in the outskirts. You find that the children in rural districts are not as optimistic about their futures, they dream but they do not dream big.  And this is because they don’t have the positive channels they can tap into that can encourage them to see beyond their surroundings.

I can now say Bloom Africa faces the challenge of rural poverty in Lesotho. The vision carried by Bloom Africa to establish Community Learning Centers means we will have boys and girls in communities who are motivated and empowered with various skills and dignity allowing them to take charge of their own destinies. Furthermore, I believe through the programs that will be offered at community learning centers, that the children’s self confidence may be developed.   This would, in turn, help them overcome what could be internalized poverty resulting from the conditions of their environment. Since poverty is experienced and defined differently, by being community orientated, Bloom Africa is able to understand the different facets of poverty, identify what helps reduce poverty, what works and does not work. My view of dealing with rural poverty as an impossible challenge has definitely been challenged!

Mosa Makutsoane is a Board Member with Bloom Africa and resident in Maseru, Lesotho.