Cadets in Lesotho
August 2010 - 60 teenage cadets from all over the UK have returned from South Africa after a life-changing expedition where they spent two weeks with Sentebale, supporting our work with orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho. This unique expedition was part of Cadet150, a year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the UK's cadet movement.
After an acclimatisation and environmental awareness phase in South Africa, the Cadets then spent two weeks doing rural community work with three of Sentebale's partners; Phelisanong in Pitseng, Touching Tiny Lives in Mokhotlong and in Semonkong.
Prince Harry encouraged the Cadets when he met them at a training exercise before the expedition saying “You will really enjoy it; it will be a hell of an adventure. Once you have met the children of Lesotho your lives will by very, very different because you will have an understanding you never thought you would of the way people have to live out there”.
The Cadets were welcomed to Lesotho by Prince Seeiso who thanked them all for their support and efforts for Lesotho's children. The children were also extremely excited about the arrival of the Cadets, with the children in Semonkong staying awake late to welcome them with singing and cheering.
While volunteering for Sentebale, the Cadets work was an enormous help to the projects. They dramatically improved the facilities at the centres with work including repairs, painting and tiling. They taught English, Maths, Science and IT, and made an access ramp for wheelchairs to a Sentebale classroom. It was not all work though; there was plenty of fun for the children with football games and a skipping championship.
At Phelisanong, The Director 'Me Mamello thanked all those involved in the success of the Cadets visit including the two Patrons, Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry, for their unrelenting support to Phelisanong and other community based organisations involved in the care and support of OVCs in Lesotho. The children presented a certificate of appreciation to all the cadets and there was a presentation with dancing and celebrations at the end.
The children made an equally strong impact on the Cadets with one of them saying at the end of their visit:
“When we first arrived here we were warned to be careful of infectious diseases but nobody mentioned or cautioned infectious smiles of children. Today as we leave Lesotho we carry with us very good memories of the children and the people of Lesotho. We have never seen such joy and hospitality as that extended to us by Lesotho's children; we were always moved by the courage of children despite the difficult situations they come from”.
Sentebale are enormously grateful to all of the Cadets, Staff and Organisers of the expedition; their support of our work with Lesotho's children was invaluable and our partners and the children are incredibly grateful for all of their hard work and help.
© Sentebale 2011