With the busy schedule that ‘Me Rethabile Skundla, the G.R.O. Lesotho Programs Manager, keeps we are always grateful when she takes time out of the day to sit down for a Q&A chat. Today, it is especially cold so we are huddled near the gas heater for a Lesotho version of the fireside chat.

Already a month has passed since the LEAP Career Fair - What are some of the things you have been working on since that time?

I think mostly I have been working on the EU LGNSP grant which is one of the largest funders for the LEAP education initiative. This means I have been very busy! Some of what I’ve been working on include attending a workshop where I had to present our complete work plan at a 2-day workshop. There we presented the budget, time line, and activity schedule for the program.

What big changes are coming up for the organization?

There really is so much - I can begin with our new LEAP coordinator, ‘Ntate Katiso ‘Mota has stepped in with a promotion, we are getting closer to publishing the LEAP Career guidebook, and we hope to shortly open the LEAP Resource Centre for district stufents. Bo ‘Nkhono (the Grannies) have also joined ESAF which is a buying program that should give increased access to the retail market for selling their chickens. Also, the Artisans were able to send a gift to the Queen for her birthday which just happened. There really are so many exciting things with all of the programs so I’m sure I’m leaving a few out!

Finally, how do you feel with the World Cup starting next door in South Africa?

Wow - This is one of the days in Africa where everyone is so excited and we are all in the mood for football!  Still, work goes on but we’re in the mood for it to start - only a few hours now until Bafana takes the field. In Africa, rain means a blessing and it has been raining all day and night - this is special because it is winter so we are all feeling the good mood.

Who do you think will win in the opening game tonight between Bafana Bafana (South Africa) and Mexico?

South Africa, of course! 2-1 is what I think so I’m absolutely excited!

Well, that about wraps it up for today - Kea leboha (thank you) ‘Me and GO Bafana GO!

Posted under Notes from Lesotho, Uncategorized