Digging the trenches
Digging foundations for Residential Centre & Entrepreneurship Hub for adolescents who will move here from the overcrowded GLC centre for orphans and vulnerable children.
Watch the video here
rise update – May 2018
It has quite literally been a ground-breaking week for rise, as we FINALLY got out the spade and dug the first foundations for the residential center and business hub for vulnerable youth in Lesotho. Over 70 people turned up to celebrate with us and it was amazing to have the support of the Ministry of Social Development, local and international corporates, the local Chief and community members. Not to mention some of the inspirational youth who will benefit from the new building! None of it would have been possible without our awesome sponsors, stakeholders and partners that give their time, expertise and materials to our cause. Feeling proud here at rise!
Here is an artist’s impression of the residential center that we are NOW BUILDING! It was designed entirely by our in loco fellows and will house 6 girls and 6 boys, age 14+ who will be moved here from the desperately overcrowded GLC Orphanage close by. As well as being a safe home for the youth to live and finish school, the residence will help them transition to independent life as they will be launching their own sustainable small income generating activities. It’s so inspiring to be part of their ideas and to genuinely know that these initiatives will not only support them, but others in the community, for many years to come.
International Workshops – July & August
True to our core values, we work hard to build relationships and link expertise from around the world to make lasting change happen. There is no part of this project that isn’t living and breathing social enterprise and at every turn we equip the fellows, graduates, mentors and young orphans with skills that they can benefit from long term and share with others in the community. We believe this is a dignified and long-term path to development.
Part of this is our International Design & Build Workshops in July and August. These act as a hands on knowledge exchange between local fellows and international students, as well as help raise essential funds to make this project possible. We’re excited to see the results of this as our first cohort of adventurous students arrive from all over the world in July. We have a few places left to fill the workshops, so have extended the deadline for applications until 30th May. More information
Making your dollar stretch even further
BIG NEWS on the fundraising front; our co-founder and principal sponsor BOND events, who run networking events for the architecture industry in North & South America, have agreed to donate $1.67 for every $1 we raise.
Shop on Amazon and do good for the world!
This is doubly exciting, as we’ve signed up for Amazon Smile USA. So if you’re purchasing on Amazon PLEASE use Amazon Smile and put rise international as your charity of choice. What better way to feel good about your shopping! Start now
Words from the fellows….
We thought you might enjoy reading about our Lesotho project first hand; our local fellows have been bravely writing their first blogs, sharing some of their experiences of what it means to them to be part of the rise in loco fellowship team. These heartfelt and often witty words, offer an insight to the huge learning curve and day-to-day adventure these guys are on.
February by Palesa, March by Thandi, and April by Madane.
Coming to New York
Finally, our founder, Daniela Gusman, is going to be attending the Real Estate Weekly Women’s Forum, in NYC on June 5th. It’s an honor to be invited as the only not-for-profit sponsor to this event, and to be able to share the innovative ideas and work of rise international with the leading innovators across the business spectrum. Daniela will be looking for industry experts with vision, who are keen to build a CSR program within the architecture and design community by partnering with rise. She will also be unveiling the exciting news about the launch of our architecture competition…designing residential houses for low-income families made from locally sourced materials! More about that to come….but if you’re in New York and interested in getting in touch to find out more, pop by and say hello at the event or email directly on daniela@riseint.org
Follow us live
Thank you for reading our newsletter and supporting us all here at rise International. Keep your eyes open for news on our build and ongoing work, as well our first step into Facebook LIVE, where we will be screening our guest lecture series at Lerotholi Polytechnic! These fascinating lectures, presented by industry experts, have included some interesting debates exploring many issues, relating to the significance of architecture, building from local materials, sustainable development in vulnerable communities and design failures when customers are not an integral part of the design process of any building, product or service.
in loco fellows’ blog series #3
Three months as a Fellow…
I am Madane Bataung, a graduate in civil engineering from Lerotholi Polytechnic in Lesotho. I am also the founder of @Nebulart Recycling Group. I am that nice guy who leaves his car unlocked to offer a safe haven for someone in case they encounter a polar bear! Old music and me…..same WhatsApp group. I would walk away from signing a million dollar contract if anyone offered me vinyls I don’t have already!
It has been such a change in environment these past three months. Let me just put this out there, I feel good to be part of the in loco fellowship. I know some people might ask what I’m doing here or maybe wondering if I have given up on my company, not a chance.
Trust me I have ulterior motives for being here. I get to make and test mud bricks that may be used in the construction. This was super exciting to do because building with mud has been a fantasy of mine.
That is why I have been building with waste cans, glass bottles and mud to build recycle bins (see Nebulart’s Facebook and other social media). So now I am about to get firsthand experience building a home, surely you can see the snowball effect with the mud bricks here. Plus I am also being given business training to improve my company.
We had a trip to Morija two months ago to study some vernacular architecture. I never knew Morija holds the record of having the oldest standing building in the country (Maeder House – built in 1843). That was like those high school trips that will forever get you smiling from ear to ear when they come to mind. For starters, I got the best view in the mini bus, “the back seat”.
I know for a fact that every fellow will not forget when the Boss Lady was on door duty and would shout out “Morija, Morija, phakisa, phakisa (hurry, hurry) at every stop, I think she took a wrong turn in profession, she would have made an awesome taxi driver assistant {hahaha….}
We have just been given feedback on our work so far, which was a nerve-racking moment before I could sit down with the coaches. The feedback was unexpected. I found out new things about myself, where I have been doing a good job and where I need to improve.
I can say it’s safe to say it was an eye opening session of constructive criticism which I have built a “lesaka” (fondness) for. Never thought I am that much of a hard worker, self driven or disciplined (not blowing my own trumpet here!
I had a conversation about music with the Boss Lady (she’s definitely not going to like that name) a few days back and wow! She’s got some dope hip-hop artists I’ve never heard of, can’t wait to hear what everyone else in the studio is listening to.
There have been times in the office when I would just be mind blown by the level of disinterest or reluctance from some of the fellows to take on tasks. In a way, I would be glad I don’t have to be that sick patient who would cut in line at the hospital just because my injury is more urgent. I had more options to choose which skills I would like to learn next without “competing,” but that was then. Now, now I think everyone has figured out, if they want to make it out alive and succeed after the fellowship, it is up to us to add on to our skills because no one can take away our talents.
in loco fellows’ blog series #2
MY TWO MONTHS EXPERIENCE AS A FELLOW
I have been staring at my pc for some time now, cracking my head on how to go about the task given to me or should I say that I volunteered to do.
My name is Thandi Mokoma, an Alumni of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Lesotho. I studied Architecture Technology (Associate Degree) and this is my story.
I have heard about ‘blogging’ before but never really had any interest in it, so believe me when I say this is my first blog. In just a few paragraphs I’m going to sum up the two good months of experiences as a rise in loco fellow. The program is like an adventure, one never knows what to expect next and what challenges and knowledge are just around the corner. The fellowship has taught me more than I had imagined, as a newly graduated Architecture Technology I feel my duties are diverse and ever changing, and these are some of the learnings I would like to share with you.
BUSINESS TRAINING
I guess before going for the business training workshops, I had my own thoughts and assumptions of what business training is all about, how formal the working environment is, the formal language used and specific corporate attire, and I wasn’t really looking forward to it. But to my surprise it was filled with fun, laughter, games and loads of new knowledge. We had fun energisers now and then, short dramas and educational games amongst a few. One of the many things we were taught at the business training was entrepreneurial skills and means of making your business known.
GUEST LECTURES
You know when they say ‘dreams come true!’ that’s exactly what happened to me. Being part of rise gives me a platform to meet people from different companies and organisations like World Bank amongst others. I had the opportunity to present our work to people from diverse cultures, race and backgrounds.
In addition, I had direct conversations and interactions with people from big companies attending our presentations. Some of the representatives from these well established companies would pick our brains on how they can make their own projects succeed with regards to what we are doing with the community project we have partnered with, God’s Love Centre, and the business-training workshop.
ATTENDING MEETINGS
Life can take you to places you never thought of going. I never pictured myself getting all dressed up going to a meeting, let alone negotiating with ‘the big bosses’ but that is what’s fascinating about my job at rise. I was not pinned down to one task and that really allowed opportunities that widened our horizons. The more we can test our limits and capabilities the more we will learn about ourselves.
I didn’t know much about scheduling meetings, attending meetings and how to adjourn a meeting. And my God, apparently there’s a specific way of giving handshakes!! Who knew?
ONE ON ONE MEETINGS
The first time we were made aware that we will be having one on one meetings with our coaches, I was reluctant and skeptical about them, little did I know how much I would learn about myself.
The questions asked got me to realise that I have been making excuses and barriers on why I haven’t started a business and maybe the biggest reason is the fear of failure. The meeting broke the ice, and a few days after I began making quince jam and I’m proud to say I SOLD EVERY JAR!
As I sign out, I would like to thank everyone who has read my blog, my coaches and my fellow workmates and team members who have made these two months an experience never to be forgotten.
With this program I believe I have exhausted most of my capabilities and yet we are only 2 months in, this has truly been a great learning experience and I will forever be indebted to all those who gave me a hand. Looking forward to many milestones in the remaining 6 months.
Construction update
New piece of land acquired
Our community partner, God’s Love Centre (GLC) is overcrowded with 50+ children living in a 2 dorm-room house. Since the land on which the orphanage is located is quite small, we acquired an additional piece of land just 1 km up the road from the existing site. There are 200,000 orphans in Lesotho, which constitutes 10% of the population. Most of the other childcare facilities are also full to capacity, so unfortunately it is unlikely that the need for more housing for orphans is going to be resolved soon.
After a lot of discussions with GLC and the community at large, it was decided that the younger children up to 13 years old should remain at the existing site along with the Pre-school, and the adolescent youth from 14 upwards should be located at the new site, which will include various small businesses including an Internet Café, vegetable gardens and a piggery.
The in loco fellows are busy designing, planning, compiling the Bill of Quantities and negotiating with suppliers the best possible rates in order to keep construction costs down. Final drawings will be submitted to the authorities in March to obtain the building permit approval.
Refurbishment plans for existing site
The in loco fellows are busy planning all the improvements needed on the existing site including installation of water harvesting tanks to solve the problem of shortage of water, partitioning the dorm rooms so that children have more privacy, expansion of kitchen, re-allocation of pit latrines to make better utilisation of outdoor space to create play areas for the children as well as increase the vegetable growing areas and installing a roof over the converted shipping container where the pre-school is located so that the classrooms don’t get so hot in the afternoon sun. Renovation works should commence later on in March (subject to funding).
Existing site Proposed layout for refurbished site
rise update – March 2018
We are excited to share with you our first newsletter. A lot has happened in the past few months. Here are some of the highlights…..
Organisational strengthening of our local partner GLC
Our community partner God’s Love Centre (GLC) , is a home for orphaned and abandoned children. An integral part of our partnership with GLC is not just to improve the quality of lives of the children living there with refurbished and additional buildings, but also to help the GLC leadership gain access to skills and networks they need in order to excel in the running of the childcare facility. This includes strengthening their governance, financial management, communications, quality of care, fundraising and overall management. A series of weekly leadership trainings have started and will continue until end of September.
in loco fellowship launched in Lesotho
Twenty of Lesotho’s most promising young entrepreneurs have been selected to join an 8-month design & build fellowship program which will run from February to September. Read more.
Read the 1st of the in loco fellows blog series here.
Participatory Design Workshop
An intense 10 days of learning about human centred design and then putting those learnings into practice by going into the community and finding out their exact challenges, needs and wishes for a better quality of life at the orphanage. The in loco lead Architects, Pedro Clarke and Luca Astorri visited Lesotho from Portugal and Italy respectively to run the workshop. Read more.
Basic Business Skills
Training of Trainers
10 dedicated youth leaders were selected and trained as business coaches on how to facilitate basic business skills to low literary participants.
We can’t wait to see what small businesses are launched once these trainings have been implemented! Read more
Construction Update
Since the current GLC site is already overcrowded with 50+ children living in the 2 dorm-room house, we had to acquire an additional piece of land 1 km up the road from the existing site. There are 200,000 orphans in Lesotho, which constitutes 10% of the population. Most of the other childcare facilities are also full to capacity, so unfortunately it is unlikely that the need for more housing for orphans is going to be resolved soon.
After a lot of discussions with GLC and the community at large, it was decided that the younger children up to 13 years old should remain at the existing site along with the Pre-school, and the adolescent youth from 14 upwards should be located at the new site, which will include various small businesses including an Internet Café, vegetable gardens and a piggery.
The in loco fellows are busy designing, planning, compiling the Bill of Quantities and negotiating with suppliers the best possible rates in order to keep construction costs down. Final drawings will be submitted to the authorities in March to obtain the building permit approval.
Refurbishment plans for existing site
The in loco fellows are busy planning all the improvements needed on the existing site including installation of water harvesting tanks to solve the problem of shortage of water, partitioning the dorm rooms so that children have more privacy, expansion of kitchen, re-allocation of pit latrines to make better utilisation of outdoor space to create play areas for the children as well as increase the vegetable growing areas and installing a roof over the converted shipping container where the pre-school is located so that the classrooms don’t get so hot in the afternoon sun. Renovation works should commence later on in March (subject to funding).
Existing site Proposed layout for refurbished site
Partnerships are key
All of this work would not be possible without key partners. Throughout the planning of the program, partnerships have been formed with the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) as well as Limkokwing University and Lerotholi Polytechnic. Read more.
Changing the face of architecture in Lesotho
Part of our mandate is to increase awareness and get people thinking outside of the box when it comes to architecture, which we are doing in 3 key ways:
- Guest Lecture Series
The first of which took place in February with Luca Astorri who spoke about his experiences in architecture in a development context building a school in a Nairobi slum area. March’s Lecture will be on “Creating your own Sustainable Space” by T’siu Moorosi 16th March at Lerotholi Polytechnic’s lecture theater. - Film screenings and Debates – in partnership with Alliance Française about the role of architecture for the wider community. Check out our FaceBook page for upcoming events.
- Architecture Library – since Lesotho doesn’t have one we thought it’s about time it did! We are asking any visitors coming to Lesotho to bring architecture books with them and any nearby architecture firms in South Africa are also welcome to make donations!
Donors
BOND Events continues to be our main donor and has pledged to donate $1.67 for every $1 raised from other donors up to a value of $50,000 in 2018.
We are pleased to announce two new donors this month:
Vodacom Lesotho who is going to sponsor the 6 female in loco fellows as part of their Gender Equality and women empowerment initiatives.
Agara Foundation from Malta, is currently fundraising for laptops and volunteers to come to Lesotho from Malta in August to set up a computer lab at GLC and give the necessary software training on how to set up and run an Internet Café.
How can you get involved?
Thanks to your generosity, we have raised over $50,000 so far through donations, sponsorships and the purchase of art from our fundraising event rise in the city.
However we still need to raise another $100,000 to make this project possible. Every $1 counts so please join us on this journey of learning and invest here.
You can:
- Apply to attend an international workshop $1595
- Sponsor a local fellow for $2000
- Sponsor an international workshop for $10,000
- Purchase a piece of art that was created for rise in the city
- Invest and make a donation of any amount. For every $1 you invest, BOND will match it with $1.67.
in loco fellows’ blog series #1
My name is Palesa Rapolo and I’m a 2017 graduate from Limkokwing University having graduated in Interior Architecture. I just completed my first month as a fellow in the eight-month in loco program by rise. My first month into the program has been inspirational, educational and fun. The atmosphere in the office is incredible, I get to go to work and do one of my favourite things in life, work while listening to dumb jokes and having a good laugh.
One of in loco’s goals is to train its fellows to be successful entrepreneurs, so for the first week we had a series of business training sessions where I learned to stop using money or capital as an excuse of why I can’t run my own business. We had a series of guest speakers who were truly inspirational. They shared with us their journey of how they started out to get to where they are right now. One of them named Malefetsane Mohlomi, said he started out with just his laptop and his mind. That really got me thinking, ‘why haven’t I? Who am I not to be successful? But then everything happens in its own time, I’ll tell my story someday.
My favourite part has got to be the participatory design workshop, not only because of the food, but most importantly what I got to learn from it. Going out to God’s Love Centre (GLC) and getting to know the people we are going to be designing for and hearing from them what they wanted instead of assuming we know what’s right for them. The sad part is that we can’t meet all their needs, but I hope that what we’ll give them will make a huge difference.
My second favourite part is definitely the trip to Morija, one of Lesotho’s most important historical and cultural sites. Morija has some of the oldest buildings such as the first Evangelical Church. I came back with a lot more appreciation for traditional methods of construction, and I’m definitely looking forward to going back there again.
in loco fellowship launched in Lesotho
Twenty of Lesotho’s most promising young entrepreneurs have been selected to join an 8-month design & build fellowship program which will run from February to September 2018. The fellows consist of 14 male & 6 female graduates and diploma holders from cross-disciplinary areas including architecture, civil & electrical engineering, construction management, interior design, carpentry, social welfare & community development from Lerotholi Polytechnic, Limkokwing University, National University of Lesotho, Institute of Development Management and Central University of Technology.
in loco has an innovative and unique approach to the Design and Build Training Programs. Created to have a real impact in the lives of all participants our approach builds on the Live Projects teaching model and learning from life, skills sharing and capacity building.
in loco engages with local communities, local NGOs, students and young graduates from local architecture and construction courses, as well as international participants with an interest in architecture, development, sustainability and the built environment.
This year’s inaugural project takes us to Maseru the capital of Lesotho, a country land locked inside of South Africa. Here, the in loco fellows will carry out much needed construction work to improve the quality of life for orphans who currently live in very cramped conditions in an existing orphanage called God’s Love Centre (GLC).
Following a “hands-on, bottom-up” approach, we will be working in close collaboration with members of the local community on the completion of this building and simultaneously start the design and construction of new dormitories, facilities and external play areas on a new site about 1km from the existing site.
At the same time, the fellows will go through a practical entrepreneurship-training program helping them to set up their own businesses and a pipeline of community construction projects throughout the country, with a particular focus on rural and semi-rural development.
Read the first of a series of blogs by one of the fellows – Palesa Rapolo. Stay tuned to follow their progress!
Partnerships are key
It would not be possible for us to do our work without our key partners. Throughout the planning of the program, partnerships have been formed with Limkokwing University, Lerotholi Polytechnic as well as the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD).
The MoSD continues to give us technical advice to ensure that we are following the national guidelines. We are also in discussions with the MoSD and UNICEF with regards to piloting a new therapeutic care program called “I am Who?” to help vulnerable children dealing with identity and self-identification issues, induced by loss and trauma. So look out for updates on this in the coming months.
An MoU has been signed with Limkokwing University who are very generously offering one of their classrooms as the in loco studio and giving the fellows access to their computer lab, projector and other facilities. We are also working in close collaboration with Lerotholi Polytechnic who is offering their auditorium for visiting lectures as well as sending their built environment professors to attend key workshops.
We look forward to forging more partnerships with key stakeholders working in the country and region.