lesotho Archives - Page 3 of 7 - rise International

An inclusive office for the Lesotho National Federation of Organizations of the Disabled

June 29, 2022By Chris Theko0 comment

Background

The Lesotho National Federation of Organizations of the Disabled (LNFOD) is an umbrella body of organizations dealing with disability in Lesotho. LNFOD advocates for, promotes, and defends the rights of people with disabilities and their families through provision of training, material and emotional support, and by representing their needs to government, development partners and the wider community.

The Problem

The building in which LNFOD used as their office was not accessible and inclusive of people living with disabilities. There were no ramps, sliding doors, or rails in the toilets. There were no pavements on the outside of the building making it difficult for people who use wheelchairs to access the building. There were also no guiding blocks to assist blind people and signage for general guidance and warnings. The building had poor ventilation and lacked thermal insulation. In essence, the office did not allow for the organization to employ people with disabilities nor fully carry out services for people with disabilities because of lack of accessibility.

The Solution

rise built a new all inclusive office in Naleli, Maseru the capital city of Lesotho. This building is the first one of its kind in the country catering completely for people with different disabilities. It has a ramp for easy access for people with physical disabilities, the doors are wide to allow wheelchair access, there are rails in the bathroom, the walls are made of textured tiles for guidance for people with blindness or eye sight impairment. The building has insulation in the ceiling as well as a cavity wall for insulation which makes it warm in winter and cool in summer. It is also designed such that there is a separate entrance for the boardroom and toilets allowing LNFOD to rent out the boardroom to external entities as an income generating source because social enterprise is the heart of rise.

Methodology

With the support of funds from Sedlak GmbH and Brotfür die Welt, the rise in loco cohort of 2020 designed and constructed this building. in loco is rise’s learning by doing program where

Young Basotho graduates from the design, architecture and built environment fields come together as a fellowship and learn practical skills. This way, graduates gained practical skills while the LNFOD community gained an inclusive office space.

Challenges

The site available for the building was very small, as was the budget for this project. Moreover this building was constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic, movement restrictions due to the pandemic restricted a lot of activities and decreased morale on site. People on site had to work with each other but still maintain Covid-19 protocol which was new and uncomfortable. Construction materials prices kept increasing due to high transport costs and restricted movements which further challenged an already budget-restricted project. Hardware stores would often run out of stock, which challenged progress on site. The International partners were not able to visit the project.

The Impact

LNFOD is a national umbrella body of organizations of persons with disabilities and therefore works for an estimated 56 000 people in Lesotho according to census (2016). LNFOD now employs more than 10 people with different disabilities and can provide even more services because of their fully inclusive new headquarters office building.

Testimonials

Nkhasi Sefuthi – Director of LNFOD

“We now have accessible toilets and ramps that make the office accessible for all people with disabilities including those using wheelchairs. We are now able to conduct our work efficiently even without the disturbances we used to have in our previous working space.”

SEDLAK GmbH and Diakonie/Brot für die Welt – Sponsors of the project

“We are proud to have supported the first accessible and inclusive office building in Lesotho. The construction of the LNFOD offices in Naleli is a milestone for disability organizations in Lesotho and will hopefully serve as a role model for other accessible buildings throughout the country.”

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rise’s work on Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

June 14, 2022By Chris Theko0 comment

rise‘s work on Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

“Growing up in a clean and safe environment is every child’s right. Access to clean water, basic toilets, and good hygiene practices not only keeps children thriving, but also gives them a healthier start in life.” – Unicef

Lack of sanitation can be a barrier to individual prosperity and sustainable development. When children, especially girls, cannot access private and decent sanitation facilities in their schools and learning environments, the right to education is threatened. Poor sanitation puts children at risk of childhood diseases and malnutrition that can impact their overall development, learning and, later in life, economic opportunities. According to UNICEF, as of 2015, nearly one in ten children in Lesotho dies before reaching their fifth birthday. Too many of these deaths are due to the effects of unclean water and inadequate sanitation and hygiene, which increases a child’s vulnerability to disease and infection. Most of Lesotho’s ten districts report a high percentage of households using unprotected water sources, and about 20% still need access to improved sanitation facilities. That is why we have partnered with various organizations and entities to address this urgent challenge.

What rise has achieved so far…

Toilets for a Primary School in Lithabaneng village

– Watch video of the launch

Ever since the existence of Seboka Primary School, over 600 learners yearly have endured poor sanitation due to a lack of healthy sanitation facilities and no running water anywhere on the school site. We are so proud of our in loco pioneers xyz collaborative for building new toilets for the learners and staff and Mokhethea Civils and Contactors for constructing the percolation system, as part of our 5 Hub Schools project thanks to the support of a not for profit organization called Action Ireland Trust (AIT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training of Lesotho.

Boreholes and rainwater harvesting for 5 Hub schools

Our in loco Pioneers PRO Construction successfully constructed rainwater harvesting systems in 2 schools with the help of sponsorship from the British High Commission in Lesotho and AIT. The boreholes, together with the rainwater harvesting systems now provide a regular flow of clean running water to the schools, facilitating general good hygiene and frequent handwashing amongst learners and the schools’ community – an essential healthy habit in these Covid-19 ridden times. This access to running water also makes food preparation in the schools much easier, provides much needed water in the food gardens constructed by Green Yards, another in loco Pioneer company while promoting food security and food hygiene, and further supplies constant water circulation in the newly built toilets.

Why food gardens? You may ask. School lunch is the only meal that many of the learners in these schools get each day and therefore being able to grow their own nutritious food is vital for the learners’ feeding program and overall health & nutrition hence the construction of these food gardens. The schools are also able to sell excess produce to raise funds towards their operational costs.

No more outdoor cooking for another school in Lithabaneng village

The food preparation of over 600 learners was done in the outdoor area of Leqele Primary School. It is so amazing to have our in loco Pioneers Presto Construction Company build a new kitchen for this school also with clean water supply. It is integral that food be prepared, handled and served where there is access to running water.

Hand Wash stations for towns, hospitals, schools and villages in Lesotho during 1st wave of Covid-19

Watch more on this project

To curb the spread of the Coronavirus, we built handwash stations in all 5 schools in the Lithabaneng area which promoted hygiene and the safe handling of food. On the same mission, xyz collaborative built 105 more hand wash stations which were installed in all 10 districts of Lesotho in various health clinics, hospitals, child care facilities as well as busy town areas in partnership with UNDP, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health.. We built 10 more for a semi-rural community called Motimposo to lessen the number of communities that did not have access to running water and were thus at the highest risk of contracting the virus.

Safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services are an essential part of preventing and protecting human health especially during infectious disease outbreaks, including the current Covid-19 pandemic. Our mission is to ensure that young people exist in environments that allow them to develop so they can one day join the fight against poverty in Lesotho and the Subsaharan African region at large.

We call on you to help make a difference with us!

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rise’s work on Universal Design

June 13, 2022By Chris Theko0 comment

rise’s work on Universal Design

We often say that we are inclusive of all communities, or that we are restructuring society to be understanding and empathic of all, especially the marginalized. But to which extent? The lack of inclusivity in urban planning does not only separate us by weaknesses and strengths, but it deprives us of some of the joys of the environment like urban spaces, access to green spaces and even essential services like public transport.

It is pivotal for professionals in the built environment to prioritize the promotion and protection of the rights of people with disabilities particularly in urban design. With the hope that a potential exists for the improvement of buildings and thus facility access for people with disabilities in Lesotho, rise embarked on a project that would shed light on the existing issue of “lack of inclusivity in the urban design of Lesotho”. According to a study by the Lesotho National Federation of Organizations of the Disabled (LNFOD), people with disabilities are constantly faced with the challenge of not having equal access to facilities like banks and hotels and to services like public transportation as the built environment does not cater for wheelchair access and other limited mobility needs.

The aims of this project were to facilitate an interface which promotes that everyone gains equal access to services and facilities; to educate the general community on the need for inclusivity in urban design; to increase awareness within the built environment sector on the need for inclusivity in design and construction and to engage policy makers in the discussion on inclusivity in the urban planning of Lesotho. Empathy is key here, the feeling of belonging rather than feeling excluded. Inclusivity of design is achievable. The goal of inclusive design is to offer the same access for all users, whether with special needs, disabilities or neither of these.

……Empathy is key here

What rise has achieved on universal design so far…

A panel discussion with policy makers

Made possible by the British High Commission

rise hosted a photo exhibit and panel discussion on inclusive design where policy makers engaged in a discussion around the need for reforms on Building Codes for inclusive design in both private and public sectors. A voting poll was set up for the general public to vote on the matters that mean the most to them regarding the infrastructure and accessibility of Maseru city.

Key stakeholders working in the built environment made pledges on how they are going to commit to improving the existing situation of lack of inclusivity in the urban planning of Lesotho. WATCH VIDEO OF PANEL DISCUSSION

A webinar to create awareness on Inclusive design in Lesotho & internationally

WATCH VIDEO OF WEBINAR

After the panel discussion rise hosted a webinar on Inclusive design in Lesotho and internationally where professionals engaged, educated and spoke on the need for universal design globally and locally.

Radio shows to create awareness on the need for universal design

rise hosted 4 radio shows in partnership with SkyAlpha, aimed at increasing awareness of the need for inclusivity in the urban planning of Lesotho.

An inclusive building for people living with disabilities

Through in loco – rise built an all inclusive design building for the Lesotho National Federation of Organizations of the Disabled, allowing them to finally employ people with physical disabilities.

A panel discussion with key stakeholders for action planning

Universal Design for Maseru City Roundtable was hosted on March 2nd 2022 by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship, facilitated by rise and funded by the British High Commission in Lesotho with a focal thematic area around Universal Design including :

1. Regulatory & Legislative Building Codes for Inclusive Design

2. Design & Planning Practices

3. Action planning and Next Steps needed

Our work on Universal Design does not end here, watch out for more on our social media platforms, engage with us on this topic and lend your hand wherever you can because if you want to go fast you go alone. But if you want to go far you go together. Let’s go together!

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rise answers the SDGs call

August 9, 2021By RISE INT0 comment

Lesotho’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index rank is at 135 out of 165, with little progress made in SDGs 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger) as they relate to the ultimate goal of Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) II; “to create private sector-led jobs and eradicate extreme poverty,” according to the Lesotho National Voluntary Review of 2019. The goal of the NSDP is to transform Lesotho from a consumer-based to a producer-based economy. This goal links greatly to part of rise’s goal of transforming Basotho youth from job-seekers to job-creators.

rise International is a non-profit social enterprise organization that is registered in Lesotho and the USA and has been spearheading projects that bring about change and innovation to the built environment since 2016. This is being achieved through the in loco fellowship program where graduates in architecture, design and construction are recruited and provided with business training skills and connected with mentors, clients, and possible funding sources, while at the same time taken through an intense 10-month hands-on learning by doing process in building infrastructures that are much needed for vulnerable community development.

Goal 1: Creating resilience against poverty

rise plays a huge role in the realization of the SDGs, such as creating resilience against poverty. On average, since inception the in loco alumni’s monthly income has increased by 44%. 19% of Fellows in the program got full-time employment, while 74% started their own businesses in order to sustain their livelihoods and to create employment for others. On average, 1 Pioneer employs 5 other people in the construction industry.

Goal 4: Quality education and the Learning by Doing methodology

The Learning by Doing methodology, which rise has been using since the organization’s inception, has allowed the fellows to interact with their environment in order to adapt and learn. The methodology gives hands-on experience by allowing the fellows to get immediate feedback by learning from their mistakes, thereby shortening the learning span.

Goal 5 and Goal 8: Relationships inspiring social, economic and gender equality

The organization recruits fellows from all socio-economic and educational backgrounds and from different trades, treating all equally, and providing a space for all to develop and understand the importance of an integrated education and construction system. rise addresses the problem of gender discrimination in the built environment by promoting inclusive decision making, with both genders equally represented in both labor and planning, and rotating the leadership roles of fellows in the in loco fellowship program.

Goal 6: Water and sanitation in the fight against Covid-19

Portable running water is a vital resource now more than ever in the midst of the global pandemic and in the bid to address the Covid-19 situation in Lesotho, rise has built more than 150 mobile hand wash stations for hospitals, health centers, busy taxi areas, schools and vulnerable communities in Lesotho. This brief documentary shows how this has helped address the pandemic while also creating jobs in the country.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean energy as health-saving technology

The number of people who die every year from cooking smoke inhalation is currently at 4 million, so rise partnered with African Clean Energy (ACE), a company that produces environmentally friendly stoves that burn materials much more efficiently with a lot less smoke, to design and construct mobile shops for the distribution of the stoves to remote villages in Lesotho.

Goal 9: Innovation and Infrastructure for eradication of unemployment

rise promotes innovative and creative designs in every infrastructure it builds to promote sustainability and resilience by incorporating recycled materials into the projects. rise also equips graduates in the built environment with entrepreneurship skills as a measure of eradicating unemployment and contributing to the economic development of the country. Twenty businesses have been created thus far by the rise in loco fellowship alumni in the 3 years since its inception, who in turn continue to hire other youth in their businesses. rise collaborates with the public to jointly implement community-driven development through Participatory Design Workshops. These workshops are carried out in order to share the importance of inclusive design with the partner organizations, stakeholders and community members.

In light of the most recent accessible data and patterns, practically all nations will find it hard to reach the SDG goals by 2030. The need has never been more urgent for developing countries to ensure effective programs are put in place to meet the SDGs so that no one is left behind.

The world needs more consistent implementation from leadership, long-term economical practices, strong institutions, education, innovation, partnerships, and services that are sustainable for development.

in loco program

in loco fellows 2020 blog series #5: When times get tough I get tougher

November 20, 2020By RISE INT0 comment

My name is Poloko Phalinyane. I am a twenty seven year old Mosotho man born in Rothe, in the outskirts of Maseru. I studied Electrical Installation at the renowned institution of Lerotholi Polytechnic. I enrolled in 2015 and completed in 2018. I am part of the in loco fellowship of 2020 with rise international. What sets me apart from a crowd is my work ethic and desire to produce excellence in everything I do. I am a patient person and I act promptly in every task; giving it all of my time and attention. I am a person filled with laughter and always willing to offer a helping hand.

The most important of all reasons why I applied for the in loco fellowship is the entrepreneurship aspect of it all. I was curious about the business trainings provided in the fellowship – on how they can improve and add value to the informal business I was already running. Although at the time I already had much experience in the built environment through offering services in electrical installation and installing building finishes, I knew that I could learn more. That is what is currently happening in my time at the fellowship.

At this point in the fellowship, 4 months in, I have acquired a lot of skills and lessons that I didn’t have before. In line with the entrepreneurial training, I have learned how to keep documentation of all transactions, budgeting skills, how to improve my negotiation skills, how to position my brand, and how to advertise my business. In construction I have learned about the inception of construction cycles, what tenders are and what they deal with, the preparation of the Bill of quantities, preparation of electrical drawings, technical skills in building foundations, surface bed and a cavity wall.

As a Mosotho man I want to be an example to the community I come from. I want to be an attestation that hard work, discipline and laughter are ingredients of success. I want to build my skills not just to work for an existing company but to run my own enterprise one day. An enterprise built from scratch by a Mosotho man. One that can be successful and uplift the Basotho youth by providing jobs and convenience for communities in the outskirts of Maseru. Owning an electrical store that is situated in the north of Lesotho is the one dream I really want to come true. I want to transition from old ways of making my services available to customers and incorporate digital platforms to keep up with the times because digital media has taken over the world.

Growing up I never had a specific aspiration but I always knew that in everything I choose to do, I shall always give it my all. Lesotho has a high unemployment rate and opportunities are very scarce so it’s no surprise that I want to be a successful entrepreneur, it is one of the major motivations to make money and secure a comfortable future. There is a saying that says the early bird catches the fattest worm and every day when I wake up I work towards catching the fattest worm.

2020

in loco fellows 2020 blog series #4: The stone the builder refused

October 9, 2020By RISE INT0 comment

My name is Paki T’sotleho, I am a 29 year old man with a heart of a kid, a mind of an old soul and the body of a giant. I am part of the 2020 cohort of the in loco fellowship and a contributor to the vision set by rise international. I hold a Bsc in Construction studies in the built environment from the University of the Witwatersrand. This program focuses on all aspects of construction; from Construction Management and Technology, Quantity Surveying, Property studies, Construction law, Building design, Building science and Construction Economics. The importance of this programme is to broaden one’s take on the construction industry so that going further with either a professional career or a contractor/ entrepreneur route you understand your role and how you fit in and keep up with the ever growing and changing construction industry.

I strongly believe that ignorance, coupled with the “know it all” attitude is the root of the downfall of our Basotho People and hinders growth for Lesotho. In return this attitude leaves us, the youth, with a frustrated and discouraged outlook for Lesotho. With that said, the reason I applied for the in loco fellowship programme was that for the first time I came across a programme that seemed eager to give the young Mosotho child a vision, a platform to voice their creativity, challenge and grow their acquired skills from the built environment and at the same time teach them how to be independent and to self-sustain themselves when they go out into the field.

At this stage of the fellowship programme (3 months in), I have learnt how to breakdown Bills of Quantities into a material list. They can be used as a point of reference to see if your project is in line with the budget and indicate expenses that were not accounted for in the Bills of Quantities. I have also learnt the most tricky aspect of construction which is the Preliminaries in a practical sense, that has to do with site preparation, site establishment requirements, administrations and organisational requirements for the personnel on site. On top of the construction aspect of the programme there is also the entrepreneurship aspect. In this part of the programme I continue to learn about how to position your brand, how to locate and expand your market, how to execute social media marketing, the importance of customer service, and a whole lot more that helps you tick all the boxes necessary to successfully start and operate your business.

Since the fellowship started in July 2020 I have been performing the role of a buyer as well as a laborer on site. As a buyer, I am responsible for making sure all the tools and materials needed on site are sourced in accordance with the construction schedule; when they are needed and at the best value for the client. I assure you this is no walk in the park. Finding the balance of being within budget but trying your best to get the best quality material and services possible is very challenging. This role requires a lot of planning and preparation skills but it is mostly exciting if you have worked as a consultant Quantity Surveyor like I have.

Being able to see equipment and material, to interact with suppliers, all of which makes me feel hands on. It also solidifies my confidence in my profession as a Quantity Surveyor – this profession in Lesotho is easily brushed off and given little to no recognition. As for being a laborer, this is the most rewarding experience ever – I get to see that I am capable of creating something from nothing with my own hands and personally, I have always wanted to be the kind of man who is handy. So this experience is giving me the skills I need to be this man and tuning my mind to be oriented in problem solving in every task I face.

I am currently working in a project where we are constructing an inclusive building for LNFOD (Lesotho National Federation of the Disabled). The in loco programme encourages fellows to advocate for inclusive buildings in every project that we take on for the benefit of people with disabilities. Secondly, this project challenges us as the future Lesotho construction industry; to come up with the technology to allow for all physical work to be done by everyone, no matter their gender.

In conclusion I would like to leave with an overview of my future aspiration. My dream is in three stages; first I would like to open a lamp shop and everything wood that will later have a coffee shop. Secondly, I would like to start up a recreational center/camp, and lastly to facilitate community projects that build parks with sports grounds all over the country. “Along with the trees, the animal in me and the soil I ground myself on, teaches me how to be human” – Paki Ts’otleho

2020

IN LOCO FELLOWS 2020 BLOG SERIES #3: Intergalactic love

October 1, 2020By RISE INT0 comment

Intergalactic means movement between spaces. Buildings occupy space, from their foundations upwards. Therefore in this blog, intergalactic is compared to construction because of the fuming passion I have for the built environment and intergalactic.

My passion for the built environment grew after several setbacks from the University of Free State, where I was enrolled in the faculty of natural sciences, however I dropped out from the University and I enrolled for a National Diploma: Building at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) where I graduated in record time. The faculty of Engineering has always been best for me…HAHA.

Upon completion of my diploma, I was awarded a MerSETA women in engineering bursary. This encouraged me to further my BTech in Construction Management which I also completed in record time. A fiery love for construction grew deeper, so much so, that I established my own construction company named Khal Construction Engineers the same year I enrolled for my BTech, with a view of creating a better industry that would lessen surplus costs, delays, accidents on construction site, and upsurge job creation. My first project in construction was plastering and floor pouring a residential building.

The business did not go so well. Our marketing was poor, we could not get customers as we were unknown in the industry, project hunting became all-consuming but there were still no doors opening for the smart, enthusiastic ‘Malingaka. But I don’t accept defeat; it’s just not in my DNA. Therefore I enrolled for a Masters at the University of Johannesburg while job hunting and tender hunting. Being the go getter that I am, I completed my Masters within a year. The same year in December my company got its first client! Sufficient grace, right?

That first client was a stepping-stone to many. Currently I have over two years’ experience in the industry and already embarking on the journey to bag my PhD in Construction Management. Though my business is facing challenges such as lack of construction equipment to commence a project, rise has a solution to my challenge since fellows and alumni are able to borrow construction equipment from rise.

My first encounter with rise international was when I navigated through the internet for job vacancies. I believe it was through www.selibeng.com that I saw the opportunity for the in loco fellowship. rise’s mission and vision caught my attention, I was amazed. With much enthusiasm I applied for the fellowship and got in. I must say I am super grateful for this platform; it has been nothing but a place of growth in the built environment, industry and entrepreneurship.

Work on Construction Site — Malingaka and other in loco fellows working on LNFOD site

“Don’t let an opportunity pass you by, grab it and make the most of it.” I’ve been doing the most, learning by doing, learning from my other fellows, grabbing every skill and networking. rise has taught me that “Letso’ele le beta poho”, (Together we can overcome). Team work is the utmost, sharing innovative ideas amongst the fellows, problem solving and building each other through business partnerships. At rise, I have learned the importance of marketing, effective communication, negotiation skills and working in groups with other fellows. Amongst the activities we’ve done with rise, I enjoyed the Participatory Design Workshop and team building the most; what an experience!

I am excited to learn more from my fellows, to experience getting our hands dirty on the 2020 project. I have been getting along well with other fellows; it has really been fun working with each and every one of them. It is as if we’re one big happy family.

I AM ‘Malingaka Maoeng

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Why do we need an Enterprise Hub in Lesotho?

September 30, 2020By RISE INT0 comment

An Enterprise Hub in the entrepreneurial sense is a kind of greenhouse for start-up enterprises. In this protected incubation environment, entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas can be consulted and trained. Incubation Hubs are contact points for entrepreneurial learning, thinking and connecting people where they share, network and mutually benefit from one another.

The importance of having an Enterprise Hub in Lesotho is immense; a place of this nature would be able to open up multiple doors for entrepreneurs and is currently an essential missing piece in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With the unemployment rate in Lesotho as high as 30% amongst youth, there is a dire need for young people to go into business in order to make a living for themselves and their families. The rate of poverty in Lesotho stands at almost 50% , which calls for an urgent need for Basotho youth to be motivated, skilled and well equipped to create platforms for employment and thus fueling the country’s economy.

The Hub will represent an environment in which aspiring entrepreneurs can prosper in the entrepreneurship learning space. They will gain access to essential business development services from business and financial planning to legal and human resource spets. They will get to share their knowledge through peer to peer interaction, while at the same time having much needed space in terms of offices, meeting rooms and workshops to experiment their ideas and create prototypes of their forthcoming products and services before taking them to market. The Hub will also offer access to market and act as a referral centre linking startups to clients and potential investors, thus being a centre of business excellence acting as a benchmark for other businesses in the country. The existence of this Hub will inspire innovations that could change the livelihoods of a significant number of people living in Lesotho.

An Enterprise Hub therefore signifies a ray of hope for multiple entrepreneurs in Lesotho who have great ideas and new businesses, but lack the platform and tools needed in order to make these ideas and enterprises flourish. The Hub will also be a place of inspiration for the Basotho nation at large; a place where some of the wildest dreams are born and attained, a place to birth some of the most successful businesswomen and men to ever come out of the Mountain Kingdom.
To make all this happen we need to raise $100,000 by December 30, 2020. Learn how you can help here
You can read more about the plans for the Enterprise Hub here

2020

IN LOCO FELLOWS 2020 BLOG SERIES #2: KE NGOANANA OA MOSOTHO

September 15, 2020By RISE INT3 Comments

My name is Mosa Nkhabutlane, “kengoananaoamosotho”, (I am a Mosotho girl) who was born & bred in Lesotho. I studied Interior Architecture from the University of Pretoria and I am currently an in loco fellow at rise international. I applied for this program because I wanted to equip myself with an entrepreneurial career in the built environment and creative sphere in Lesotho.

Mosa Nkhabutlane standing inside the site office — Mosa helping to set up the site office

Being part of the 2020 cohort, we are currently designing LNFOD (Lesotho National Federation of Organizations of the Disabled) offices which are going to be located in Naleli. With these offices, we hope to create a precedent for inclusive design in the country. It’s been a real joy to be learning about inclusive design on a practical level so early in my career. So often, we can allow our egos as designers to get in the way of the buildings and objects we are designing and in doing so, we neglect the people for whom we are actually designing and creating. rise has been really instrumental in guiding us as to how we can design in an inclusive manner.

Mosa cutting metal sheets — Mosa constructing the guard house

Before we started designing the LNFOD Offices, we met with LNFOD Staff & the Naleli Community. We then hosted a Participatory Design Workshop with LNFOD, which allowed us to communicate with our client and to find out what they need. Instead of assuming their needs, we listened to them, we learnt about how they function as an organization and in doing so, our design has been informed by the needs of the user.

My experience at rise thus far, as an in loco fellow, has been one of growth and I hope it continues to be exactly that for the months that follow. We have just begun going to site and I believe that it is the “learning by doing” that is yet to mould us into holistic professionals.

In addition to architecture & design, I am also an entrepreneur at heart. I started a jewellery brand @madebymos in 2018. My brand has really allowed me to express myself, it is a baby of mine that allowed me to grow in a lot of different ways and to learn about the design business. It is through it that I learnt about creating campaigns, creative direction and the art of making. I have also learnt to respond to the needs of the customer and I am continuing to learn about managing the funds of a business. I believe that we need to equip ourselves as small businesses, in order to build sustainable businesses.

Mosa standing next to a concrete mixer — Mosa working on the LNFOD construction site

The business trainings that rise holds have been a great resource for me as an entrepreneur. We get to meet some of Lesotho’s greatest minds through these workshops and we are given the opportunity to learn from them. The opportunity to absorb knowledge from entrepreneurs who are making waves in this country is unmatched, especially because they are also born & bred in Lesotho. To be inspired by the people that look like us and have walked similar paths is a breath of fresh air. It feels like I am learning something new every day ever since I have been a part of the in loco fellowship. Some days are easy and mellow, some are challenging and new but most importantly, I continue to learn & to be equipped as a young, black female designer in the Mountain Kingdom.

Community member using Hand Wash Station

News

in loco Alumni tackle deadly pandemic head on!

April 16, 2020By RISE INT1 Comment

To date the deadly pandemic known as Covid-19 has spread across all 54 African countries except for two – Lesotho and Comoros! With no cure for the virus, the best prevention is isolation and good hygiene practices. With a staggering one billion people around the world living in slum like conditions, the question would be how can African nations, especially a country on the lower end of the economic scale such as Lesotho, equip their people with adequate hand sanitation solutions to help fight the spread of Covid-19.

To fill the void, a group of our very own in loco alumni, who have formed a company called xyz collaborative, have been working tirelessly to produce emergency hand-wash stations amidst the 21 day lockdown in Lesotho. Most members of vulnerable communities are without running water and as such are at risk of contracting the virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.

in loco alumni 2019 cohort formed xyz collaborative company working on thir first project

The first batch of hand wash stations was commissioned by an NGO called Sepheo who wanted to support the Motimposo communities in which they operate. Just before lockdown started on 29^th March, 10 hand wash stations were made and distributed at strategic locations, by shops, which are maintaining the stations on an ongoing basis.

Double Hand Wash Station in use by community members in Motimposo

We are so proud of what our in loco alumni who are managing to work in a very challenging environment; with limited resources since nothing can be imported from South Africa because of the lockdown and within tight deadlines given the imminent pandemic reaching Lesotho. Moreover the procurement of the necessary materials is a logistical nightmare since hardware stores are closed due to the lockdown.

And transport, is also proving challenging as there are very few taxis and cars on the road and the taxi/ bus fares have sky rocketed, especially since one cannot share a car with so many people anymore.

Single Hands Free Hand Wash Station being developed

The struggles the in loco alumni have to face daily to make these mobile hand-wash stations for communities is a true testament to their determination, resilience and commitment to help their fellow citizens.

We are battling on and making more hand wash stations, constantly improving on the design by making them hands-free thanks to the finanical support from Action Ireland Trust. The next batch of hand wash stations are being sponsored by UNDP for the Ministry of Health with 50 stations being installed at Health Clinics and hospiatls as well as for Maseru City Council who will receive 15 hand wash stations which will be installed in bus stations and other busy areas around Maseru.

Hands Free Hand Wash Station 220L — Hands Free Hand Wash Sation

We will continue to make as many hand wash stations as we can before the funding and resources run out. It is vitally important we give these vulnerable communities the lifeline they need.

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