The Princes in Lesotho
June 2010 - Sentebale Patrons' Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso have visited Lesotho with Prince William as their guest. The three Princes spent two days in Lesotho visiting Sentebale partners during a tour of Prince William and Prince Harry to southern Africa. This was a unique opportunity for Prince Harry to show his brother what Sentebale is doing to help Lesotho's children. Prince Harry said:
“We had a fantastic opportunity for me to show William what Sentebale is all about - the vulnerable children. Things are going in the right direction and I'm really proud of Sentebale”.
The visit started with Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso travelling to the area of Mantsonyanye to open a new classroom at Maliphofu Primary School which Sentebale has built. The Princes were welcomed by the village Chief Mofumahali Mamatlela Makepe. The local community had gathered and there was singing, dancing and speeches before the official unveiling of the plaque of the new classroom.
From Mantsonyanye The Princes went to Semonkong, high in the mountains. They were presented with traditional Basotho blankets on arrival by two herd boys; they then joined a procession on horseback of herd boys as they set off through the town. As they rode through Semonkong there was singing and dancing to welcome the two Princes. By the time they reached St Leonards Mission, hundreds of people from the local community had joined the celebrations. At the mission The Princes officially opened the Good Shepherd Night School for herd boys which Sentebale has funded. There were prayers, singing and speeches to mark the opening of the new school which has transformed lessons for these boys and means that they can now learn in warm and light conditions, having previously gathered in a tent for their classes late into the night.
On his first visit to Lesotho, Prince William arrived in the early evening to join his brother and Prince Seeiso in Semonkong. The three Princes spent the evening attending herd boy night schools. They started off at the Semonkong herd boy school which Sentebale supports. After sitting in on a lesson, Prince Seeiso then introduced the two British Princes, then there was singing and dancing to celebrate their visit. The school is basic and there is just paraffin light, but the boys still inspiringly make the long journey from their cattle posts as they realise the importance of getting an education.
The Princes then returned to the Good Shepherd Night School, which is run by St Leonards nuns. The difference in the two classes was remarkable and showed what a difference an insulated building, lighting and more space could make for the boys lessons. Prince William was presented with a Basotho blanket with his names on it, so all three Princes left wrapped up in the traditional blankets.
The following day started with a visit to Semonkong Children's Centre. The Princes made a traditional arrival on horseback; most people use horses or donkeys to get around in the mountains as the terrain is so rough. There was a performance of the children's play 'Kholumolumo' which uses the Basotho myth of a monster so big that it eats whole villages of people, to explain the horrifying HIV/AIDS pandemic that is killing so many of Lesotho's people. After the play, Prince William and Prince Harry played against each other in a football match with the Semonkong children. Staff at the centre said that Sentebale's support is "a huge help for which we are very grateful".
From the mountains of Semonkong, The Princes then went to Lesotho's capital Maseru. Prince William paid a visit to the Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Pakalitha Mosisili before joining Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso for lunch at the Sentebale office, where members of staff from partner organisations that Sentebale support, came to meet the visitors. In the afternoon the three Princes went to the palace where there was one of Sentebale's 'Mamohato Camps and Network Teen Clubs. The network, supporting HIV positive children, includes fun and games to help children come to terms with their status and to learn to live healthy and happy lives. The children were extremely honoured and excited by the visit, and one of the children said, it was the "happiest" day of their life.
The Princes visit was rounded off with a reception and Gala Dinner in Maseru. Sentebale hosted a reception which was attended by His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister, politicians, Chiefs and distinguished guests; it was an opportunity for Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso to talk about Sentebale, and appeal to them all to work together to support the vulnerable children of Lesotho. Following the reception there was a fundraising dinner where the guests were treated to gum boot dancing, a traditional buffet and singing and dancing.
Sentebale is incredibly grateful to Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso for giving their valuable time up to join us in Lesotho, and to everyone who joined us in welcoming them and organising the visit. It was a great boost to Lesotho's children and as Prince William said on what Princess Diana would think of Prince Harry's work with Lesotho's children:
"She'd be very proud of what Harrys done (with) Sentebale bearing in mind that its actually his own charity that he started".
© Sentebale 2011