social enterprise Archives - rise International

Building Dignity, Sharing Knowledge!

September 4, 2025By Chris Theko0 comment

If 2024 Had A Theme, It Would Be CONSISTENCY!

Annual Report 2024

At rise International we have been moving steadily forward, improving, inspiring, building, learning, and growing. Has it been tiring? At times, yes. But more than anything, it has been energizing and deeply rewarding.

We invite you to pour yourself a warm cup of coffee or tea and join us on a journey through the highlights of 2024 through the Annual Report.

Building Better Futures at Leqele, Makoanyane Primary Schools

August brought exciting progress at Makoanyane and Leqele Primary Schools, where new toilet blocks are well underway. Led by rise International Pioneers PRO Construction and XYZ Contractors, these facilities are more than just buildings, they are a promise of dignity, safety, and a healthier school environment for hundreds of learners.

Thanks to the generous funding by Action Ireland Trust (AIT) these are the last schools of the 5hub Schools project which has seen 5 schools get new flushing toilets, food gardens, rain water harvesting and kitchens with pressure cookers.

“We are excited to see the toilets taking shape. Our learners will finally have the safe facilities they deserve, which will give them dignity and proper sanitation” shared a teacher at Leqele Primary School.

Motimposo Primary School Celebrates New Urinals

A major highlight during this month was the completion of new urinals at Motimposo Primary School, built as part of our International Workshop Project.

The 2025 International Workshop came to a conclusion having successfully constructed a much needed urinal at Motimposo Primary School in the beginning of August!

Participants from ARUP, University International Catalonia (UIC Barcelona), local volunteers, and the rise team came together to construct new urinals for the boys, using eco-friendly Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEBs). This initiative not only will improve sanitation infrastructure but also promote sustainable and community-led development.

Designed to serve nearly 900 boys, the urinals address a long-standing need for proper sanitation at the school. The spirit of teamwork culminated in a joyful handover ceremony, where students, teachers, and community members came together to celebrate this milestone.

“These new facilities will change the daily lives of our boys,” said Principal Mabokang Lehoeleha.

INSPIRING LECTURE ON HOLISTIC SUSTAINABILITY

During this month, we were so honored to host a special lecture by one of our international interns from the University International Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain ‘Nafeesa Clarke’. The session was held in partnership with Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Lesotho), focused on holistic sustainability — how architecture can weave together environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and community empowerment.

The lecture sparked lively discussions and fresh ideas among our fellows, students, and local practitioners, strengthening rise’s commitment to learning and knowledge exchange that goes beyond borders.

The work doesn’t stop here. From new school facilities to sustainable innovation, we’re excited about what lies ahead. Thank you for standing with us as we build futures of dignity and opportunity.

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Impact in Motion: July Highlights from Lesotho & Zambia

August 7, 2025By Chris Theko0 comment

Empowering Communities Through Action – Our July rise Recap
As we move through the heart of the year, we’re excited to share some of the incredible progress and activities that took place in July across our projects in Lesotho and Zambia. From groundbreaking workshops to cross-border collaborations, July has been a month of action, learning, and impact.

Progress on the Play it Forward Project – Zambia

We’re proud to announce that the Masterplan and Concept Design for the Play it Forward (PIF) project in Zambia have been successfully completed. This marks a significant milestone in our cross-border collaboration. We now await the appointment of a Zambian architect by PIF for the official design handover and presentation, which will usher in the next exciting phase of this transformative community project.

“We are growing together” – Peter from PRO Construction Shares His Testimony

This month, we had the pleasure of capturing a heartfelt testimonial video from Peter Makhetha, founder of PRO Construction and one of our dedicated in loco alumni. His powerful story speaks to the growth, skills, and confidence he’s gained through his partnership with rise:

“Through rise, I’ve been able to grow my business, expand my team, and take on bigger projects with purpose. We are not just building structures—we’re building livelihoods.” – Peter, PRO Construction.

International Workshop Launches at Motimposo Primary School
The 2025 International Workshop officially kicked off at Motimposo Primary School this July! Participants from ARUP, University International Catalonia (UIC Barcelona), local volunteers, and the rise team came together to construct new urinals for the boys, using eco-friendly Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEBs). This initiative not only improves sanitation infrastructure but also promotes sustainable and community-led development.

ICEB Training for Fired Brick Manufacturers
To advance our mission of sustainable building, rise International hosted an introductory ICEB training for 30 fired brick manufacturers this month. Facilitated by Thato Nkikana, rise’s Project and Construction Manager, the session focused on how ICEB machinery works and how traditional brickmakers can adopt more eco-friendly and cost-effective practices in their work. It was an eye-opening experience for many, laying the groundwork for more sustainable construction practices across the sector.

ICEB Certification at Motimposo Primary School

As part of our commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative building methodologies, we also concluded an intensive training week focused on Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEB) production. The training took place at Motimposo Primary School, where 14 participants of our International Workshop received their Certificates of Completion after successfully completing the program.

The participants engaged in a comprehensive learning experience that combined theoretical instruction, hands-on practical training, and collaborative knowledge sharing. From understanding the science behind earth-based construction to manufacturing and laying ICEBs, the workshop provided a robust foundation in this sustainable building technique.

Fellows Blogs

My Experience at the rise International Students Workshop:

August 5, 2025By Chris Theko0 comment

A Journey of Learning, Innovation, and Collaboration

From July 21st to August 1st, I had the privilege of attending an international workshop hosted by rise International, designed to promote skills transfer for emerging professionals in the built environment. As a Candidate Engineering Technologist, this experience significantly enriched both my technical knowledge and practical skills, deepening my understanding of foundational and advanced construction techniques.

The workshop was a dynamic blend of learning, creativity, and professional exchange, facilitated by local and international experts in architecture, engineering, and construction.

One of the most impactful aspects of the experience was learning how to conduct foundation setting out — a critical step in the construction process. This involves accurately marking the positions and depths of foundations on the ground to ensure structural stability and proper alignment. Gaining hands-on experience with experienced professionals boosted my confidence and gave me clarity on this fundamental stage, which often determines the overall success of a project.

Another key focus area was soil evaluation. We explored different methods of assessing soil properties through field tests, which help determine soil suitability and inform appropriate design strategies. Engaging in these trials alongside international practitioners gave me invaluable insight into global best practices and industry standards.

The spirit of innovation was ever-present throughout the workshop. One particularly memorable exercise involved using clay to redesign an existing urinal system. This task challenged me to think creatively, applying engineering principles in a hands-on and unconventional way.

With my background in materials testing — especially in soil, cement, and sand — I was able to contribute meaningfully to group discussions by sharing insights on quality control and material behavior. This knowledge exchange highlighted the workshop’s collaborative spirit and helped establish strong professional relationships.

A major highlight for me was learning how to produce Interlocking Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (ICSEBs), an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional bricks. This sustainable construction technique utilizes locally sourced soil, offering a cost-effective and low-carbon building solution. I was involved in every stage of the process: soil excavation, drying, sieving, testing, batching, and operating the hand-press machine used to produce the blocks.

Collaborating with peers and experts from diverse backgrounds fostered a rich learning environment that strengthened my technical abilities and inspired new ways of thinking. I am confident that the skills and insights I’ve gained will positively influence my future work, equipping me to contribute to more efficient, sustainable, and innovative engineering projects.

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From Toilets to Testimonies: Your Support is Changing Lives

July 3, 2025By Chris Theko0 comment

PROGRESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP:

We are proud to share the progress of the ongoing construction of new school toilet blocks at Leqele and Makoanyane Primary Schools, in Maseru as part of the 5 Hub Schools Project. This essential infrastructure was made possible through a generous donation by Action Ireland Trust and its partners. The contractors on the ground working on the project are two of rise Pioneers XYZ Collaborative and PRO Construction, driving community transformation. These safe, clean sanitation facilities are expected to significantly improve the learning environment for hundreds of students, especially young girls.

VOICES OF IMPACT:

Pioneer Incubation Program beneficiary Seabata Motanya’s Journey

In our latest testimonial video, rise Pioneer Seabata Motanya of XYZ Collaborative shares how the in loco and Pioneer Incubation Program has transformed his life and career. His inspiring journey reflects the true spirit of rise: building people, not just projects.

Through generous donations to rise International, Seabata received vital mentorship, training, workspace, access to the internet, and tools to grow his construction business which continues to employ other job seeking young people.

rise IN KENYA: EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAM

June marked a major milestone in our expansion across Africa with the largest cohort to date of our Employability Program in Kenya (East Africa). A vibrant group of 14 participants (12 young women and 2 young men) from Jacaranda and Watamu joined the program to gain practical skills and hands-on experience through rise’s “learning-by-doing” model.

The Employability Program equips youth with CV writing skills, time management skills, interview skills, and getting ready for the workplace. All this before they begin internships across Watamu and Jacaranda for 1 – 3 months.

DESIGNING THE FUTURE:

UCL Students Present Affordable Housing Solutions

Architecture students from University College London (UCL) recently delivered their second presentation of sustainable affordable housing designs tailored to the contexts of Maseru (urban) and Mokhotlong (rural).In collaboration with rise, the students explored innovative approaches that incorporate local materials, eco-friendly technologies, and community-centric designs to tackle Lesotho’s housing challenges. This designs will help in the way we approach sustainable construction going forward in our efforts of community projects.

Thank you for being part of our journey!
Whether you’re a donor, partner, pioneer, or supporter, YOU make these stories of hope, growth, and transformation possible.

in loco program

Do your best and the rest will follow

February 22, 2021By RISE INT3 Comments

My name is ‘Mathebe Rampielo, AKA “Pepper”, “Thibi turner” or “Pepper at de ground”. I am a young charismatic and kind hearted Mosotho girl at the age of 24. I am a graduate from Lerotholi Polytechnic tertiary institution and I have an academic qualification in Carpentry and Joinery. I am currently a fellow in rise international’s in loco program. I learnt of this program on social media, but was lucky enough to learn more about rise as an organization through its collaboration with Kick4Life in developing the infrastructure of Kick4Life’s Campus, as I am a member of Kick4Life’s female football club.

I am a very hands-on, “do it yourself”, “if you can do it, I can do it better” kind of girl. This is why I am known for my bold choices, one prominent one being to study a very male dominated practice; carpentry and joinery, and also being a football player. Pursuing such male dominated fields, I believe I am a boundary breaker. On the contrary, I am daddy’s little girl and I think I had a lot of positive influence from my father. He is an excellent and very experienced carpenter, a construction worker and fanatic when it comes to football. I bet that by now you can attest to the fact that I am my father’s daughter right? So, I applied for the in loco fellowship 2020 because I wanted to improve my portfolio as a professional carpenter because I knew I would acquire business training skills and that would therefore broaden my mindset as an entrepreneur.

I am an entrepreneur at heart; I tried out so many business ventures from when I was a kid, something rare for a young girl living in Lesotho. However, I lacked a lot of business and entrepreneurial skills, from planning to budgeting, documenting, market research, all the way to efficient customer service. It is so exciting that I have gained all these skills since I joined the fellowship. My approach to my business really improved due to the intense training I receive from the fellowship.

One of my favorite things about being in the fellowship is that I am an active participant in the designing, managing of a project and the actual construction of a building. We are building the head quarter offices of the Lesotho National Federation of Organizations for the Disabled (LNFOD) in Naledi, Maseru. The building is due for completion at the end of March 2021. For the duration of this project I have taken the roles of being a plant and logistics manager, health and safety officer and finally a site manager which were all satisfying and challenging in their own different ways.

But my key takeaways from this project, which I did not know or have before, are the art of accurate bricklaying, plastering and compiling the Bill of Quantities. In addition to this I have learned the standards of building and standard names of construction techniques and practices that were never in my vocabulary. In a nutshell, being part of both the design and the practical part of construction has solidified the construction theory that I learnt in varsity. My aspiration is to have my own construction company that hires mostly females. My main aim is to empower women in the construction industry. And my experience with rise international has helped me get exposure and experience diversity in the working environment; working in different professions, allowing a peer-to-peer learning experience that one can only get in a fellowship. My motto is “do not hold back, be your best and the rest will follow”, and I live by it every day of my life.

in loco program

Learning to love the process

February 16, 2021By RISE INT2 Comments

I remember my eleven-year-old self coming across a drawing which I later learned was a floor plan. I began to wonder how a simple drawing like the one I had seen became a house. I was quiet curious and really loved to read a lot as a child. I then learned that for every structure to be constructed it had to be drawn first. However, a bigger question remained; how is construction carried out? I guess that’s why I ended up pursuing a Diploma in Civil Engineering.

I am Ikhetheleng Moshoeshoe, a 24-year old woman born and raised in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. I am a fellow with rise international’s in loco fellowship 2020 cohort. I have big hopes to make real changes in my community and the economy through entrepreneurship. As a fresh graduate from school with little on site experience, this fellowship seemed like a great opportunity to enhance my skills and to become more employable. So when I joined the rise family, I was looking to gain practical experience, not knowing there would be so much more to gain.

This fellowship has provided me with valuable skills which I can use to start my own enterprise in future. It also supports the fellows through resource and professional networking which is great for building a business entity. I read somewhere that in a man’s world, a woman has to use both her brains and beauty. The past 6 months that I have spent here has taught me to change the narrative to “use her brains and gets her hands dirty”. Through labor intensive work and working with different people from numerous disciplines of the construction industry, I have learned and still continue to learn the key activities involved in construction. Some of these include project preparation, bricklaying, carpentry, roofing, electrical and plumbing works. I also got to experience the challenges involved in construction first hand which according to me is one of the best ways to ever master anything.

Ikhetheleng constructing a roof truss structure

During the design stage of the project, I was part of the research team. This was where we went out to do research on different types of material and their availability while building a relationship with the suppliers. As a shy person, this task helped me work on my communication skills and it was a definite boost to my confidence. I have also been involved in purchasing materials playing the role of a buyer. This was a very challenging role since I also had to negotiate prices from our suppliers to ensure that we stick to the budget as per the Bill of Quantities. Since we work as a group, this fellowship has been a platform where I get to show my teamwork skills while also learning from other fellows.

Even though more women are progressively and proudly making their mark, the built environment is still a male dominated industry. My dream is to change that and through the entrepreneurship training that I get from rise, I am at a very big advantage. These sessions have changed my mindset from working towards being more employable to wanting to be an employer. I am confident that I have acquired enough tools to help me start my business. In addition, the in loco fellowship provides a mentorship program which propels me into professional networks and spaces, by learning from and interacting with my esteemed mentor.

One of the most inspiring aspects of rise as an organization is giving back to the community. We are currently constructing offices for LNFOD; the first of its kind in the country. This building will be user friendly to all people living with disability. With a cavity wall to ensure improved thermal efficiency throughout the building so as to reduce heating and air conditioning costs and a beautiful screen wall. Our main aim is to reduce costs and challenge construction methods while abiding by the SABS housing and environmental standards and not compromising lives and the durability of the building. This really requires an open mind. We also get to work with amazing architects from in and out of Lesotho. I am very grateful for this opportunity and excited to learn more in the remaining month.

in loco program

Experience taught me well

January 14, 2021By RISE INT0 comment

I am Mpokho Kherehloa, a proud member of the in loco fellowship cohort of 2020 with rise international. I am a 24 year old Mosotho woman and my life is based on challenging the status quo in the Lesotho construction industry. I hold a diploma in Construction Management from Lerotholi Polytechnic. Not only do I have managerial skills in construction but I can also get my hands dirty in the field. I love doing labor intensive work and I always considered myself the definition of what we call “the complete package”. I can easily manoeuvre in the construction industry as an employable candidate. However, I was missing an integral aspect which I personally never thought was as important as my technical skills and this was having an entrepreneurial mindset.

In the five months that I have been part of this fellowship, I have learned that rise international’s dominant mission is to equip its fellows with the skills and lessons that help newly graduates to develop their attitude towards being self-sustaining and being job creators as opposed to job seekers. As a woman in construction, one can be tamed into thinking their career is good enough by being employed as opposed to being the employer, as the Lesotho construction industry is male dominated. I also wanted to change the normality of having more men in construction than women.

I knew about this fellowship through a Whatsapp group, which talked about construction so it obviously grabbed my immediate attention. So I applied just because I qualified for it, little did I know that there was more to the program than just construction work, there is intense business training. I am five months into the program with about 2 months left to completion. These five months felt like a whole 2 years, not because it was that difficult, but because of the knowledge and site experience I have gained. This experience has been everything and more than I could have ever imagined.

I mentioned that I am a woman who knows her business and am not shy to get my hands dirty. I already knew most things that had to do with construction besides bricklaying and therefore my take away in construction skills so far is bricklaying. As for the entrepreneurship aspect there is a whole lot that I have learned, that has opened my eyes, and directed my way of thinking to be organized and be an executer. These lessons include good communication skills, taking calculated risks without doubting yourself, marketing strategies, customer care and how to prepare a business plan from start to end. And I have no doubt that with these skills acquired I will definitely be the complete package that I aspire to be.

Apart from being inspired to be a job creator, I have a dream to contribute to my community by founding an orphanage. The reason is that I believe in giving everyone a chance to find their purpose, and having a warm bed to sleep in, food to eat and education meets the individual half way in helping them find their true purpose. Also it breaks my heart whenever I see homeless and abused children. So I believe my true purpose in this life is to give hope and support to those in great need of it.

in loco program

in loco fellows blog series 2020 #6: Great things never come from our comfort zone

January 7, 2021By RISE INT0 comment

My name is Ramarou Tsoho, a 30 year old Mosotho man. I was born and raised in the highlands of Lesotho “Raleqheka”. I am privileged to be part of the 2020 cohort of the in loco fellowship at rise international. I hold a Diploma in Civil Engineering from Lerotholi Polytechnic. I have chosen this programme because I believe engineers are among the fortunate since they build their own monuments with public consent, public approval and often public funds, most importantly they bring construction ideas and dreams in to reality.

Relationship Inspiring Social Enterprise (rise) offers a great opportunity for new graduates from the built environment, to have experience through learning by doing in the in loco fellowship programme. Most importantly it raises young Basotho entrepreneurs who then become job creators. This programme gives clear insight into what the work environment is like; we learn time management, prioritizing, we feel real pressure to ensure completion of tasks and gain an array of skills that sharpen us to be field ready. I am a personal believer in the power of being humble and teachable because the world is way bigger than our view of it. There is always room for a new idea, a new step and a new beginning, so it is wise to open yourself up to learning.

I started the fellowship in July 2020, with absolutely no experience in the construction of buildings and in running a business as a whole. However, being assigned to be part of the research team taught me a lot in gathering information on all aspects that are needed in obtaining the success of a project. It was in this team that we were searching and sourcing the materials that the design team wanted the proposed building to have. This helps in finance control and time management because by the time the project commenced, we knew where to get materials needed. I was then assigned to be part of the events and digital media team of our cohort. This is where I learnt extensively that punctuality, reliability and consistency are the keys to life. Know the time and frequency to post on the various social media platforms and maintain it so that people can easily follow you. Remember it is through social media where people get to know you better in all things you do.

At this juncture I am now in the quality control, plant and logistics team where we intelligently control the interlinking of material flow and production process. In addition to that, we are also maintaining standards in manufactured products

For this 2020 cohort, we are constructing the offices for Lesotho National Federation for Disabled (LNFOD). This will be one of the most outstanding buildings I’ve ever known here in Lesotho. It has a cavity wall which is not usually included in the buildings in our country. Cavity walls make it possible for the temperature in rooms to be inversely proportional to the temperature that surrounds the building. This building is also inclusive; it is structured such that it accommodates both disabled and able people to utilize it with ease. For instance there is a ramp made for people who use wheelchairs and electric plugs are installed at lower positions of the building than usual which will allow excess for people on wheelchairs.

Through rise I saw a light at the end of the tunnel; because of the in loco fellowship I will be a job creator one day. Your world can be an entirely different place than the world you lived in just moments ago, once your attitudes towards it changes. I almost gave up on my career but rise rescued me by giving me hope. I am gaining the much needed experience to be field ready, I now believe that I indeed have a bright future ahead of me.