LESOTHO
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The Facts
Getting there
The majority of visitors to Lesotho
arrive by road from South Africa.
There are daily services from and to
Johannesburg International Airport
operated by SA Airlink. South African
Airways, British Airways and Virgin
Atlantic operate daily services to
Johannesburg from London
Heathrow.
Accommodation
Guest house
Visa requirements:
Visas are not required for entry into
Lesotho by British passport holders,
visitor visas for USA and others can
be obtained at the airport (if you are
not from the USA or UK check with
Lesotho consulate in your countries
capitol) however, all passports must
be valid for 6-12 months before &
beyond the intended length of the
stay.
Money
The unit of currency is the Loti, which
is divided into 100 Lisente, or the
South African Rand. The notes are
issued in Loti denominations of 10,
20, 50, 100 or 200. International
Credit Cards are widely accepted in
main centers, as are US Dollars or
South African Rand
Health
Health Requirements:
A Yellow Fever certificate is required
but only if arriving from infected
areas. Immunization is however
recommended against hepatitis A,
polio, tetanus and typhoid.
Getting around
Participants must arrange their own
International flights, but will be met
and transported throughout the
duration of the build.
Climate
The hot, humid and wet season is
between November and April. It is
cooler and drier the rest of the year.
Best time to visit:
May to October. Although it is has
been known to get very cold and even
snow in June-July…
Country Facts
Population: 10,307,333
Climate: tropical; modified by
altitude; rainy season (Oct to April)
Main industries: copper mining and
processing, construction, foodstuffs,
beverages, chemicals, agriculture,
tourism
Languages: English (official),
Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale,
Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other
indigenous languages
Literacy: 81%
Life expectancy: 35 years old
No. of adults and children living with
HIV/ AIDS rate (as of 2001): 1,200,000
No. of AIDS orphans (0-14) (as of
2001): 570,000
% below poverty line: 86%
Zambia, a landlocked country in
south-central Africa, is about one-
tenth larger than Texas. It is
surrounded by Angola, Zaire,
Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique,
Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia.
The country is mostly a plateau that
rises to 8,000 ft (2,434
“The Kingdom in the Sky” and for
good reason – it is home to the
majestic Drakensberg and Maloti
Mountain ranges with several peaks
surpassing 10,000 feet. In fact, the
lowest elevation in the country is still
above 3,000 feet making it the world’
s highest “minimum elevation” of any
nation on earth! We like to say that
every road in Lesotho is a scenic
route, and its true – no matter which
direction you head from the capital
city of Maseru, splendor continues to
unfold with each passing curve.
Nestled in the palm of South Africa,
Lesotho shares strong economic
ties with its neighbor but is proud of
its unique political, cultural and
social identity.
High altitude and autonomy,
however, bring distinctive challenges
to Habitat’s work in Lesotho. During
the winter months (May through
August), snow often covers much of
the mountain ranges and makes
working outdoors difficult. Since only
one half of 1% of Lesotho is forested
(only Libya has less), obtaining coal,
kerosene or straw for heating
becomes the top priority for both
urban and rural families living in
stone or brick houses with no
insulation. And having strong
economic ties with South Africa does
not mean to infer that the Lesotho
economy is expanding. Challenges
in the textile and agriculture sectors,
and the high prevalence rate of
HIV/Aids makes it difficult for families
afford safe and decent shelter.
These dilemmas encourage many
families to migrate to larger cities in
search of stable employment.
In many instances, arriving in the
capital with little money and even
less formal training, it becomes
problematic in trying to find work and
housing. Families end up living in
overcrowded, unsafe and unhealthy
conditions. As many as fifteen
families may share one latrine and
children play near open sewage.
Women are particularly vulnerable
since they have no inheritance rights,
and little hope of ever having a place
to call their own. The Ministry of Local
Government reports that more than
45,000 units of decent, affordable
housing are needed to resolve the
current crisis in the capital district
alone!
Habitat for Humanity Lesotho
Habitat for Humanity Lesotho (HFHL)
launched its program in 2001 and is
primarily building houses in
Khubelo, on the outskirts of the
urban capital, Maseru. The block and
brick homes utilize a corrugated iron
roof and consist of two to three
rooms, or 28 and 43 sq. meters
respectively. All houses have a
detached latrine.
Since snow accumulates for several
weeks at a time in rural areas,
Habitat has partnered with World
Vision in reaching out to one of these
remote locations – Mohales Hoek –
where HFHL is providing technical
support for the construction of 150
homes for low income families in
need of safe and decent housing at
affordable prices.
Program Highlights
HIV/Aids is rampant in Lesotho
where over 40% of females aged
between 25 – 39 are infected.
UNICEF estimates there are over
100,000 Aids orphans living in
Lesotho and this number is expected
to increase significantly in the years
to come. Since 2005, HFHL has
been providing shelter for children
and youths in this category while a
partner agency, SOS Children’s
Village, attends to the health,
education and food security needs.
There are currently plans underway
to expand this project.
HFHL works in close partnership
with other groups committed to
reducing poverty housing, including
the Ministry of Local Government.
The MoLG has assisted HFHL in
locating land for housing at reduced
costs and has expressed interest in
becoming more active in advocacy
on behalf of women and children for
secure tenure and inheritance rights.
In cooperation with UN Habitat and
the Maseru City Council, HFHL is an
integral part of the National Urban
Support Team dedicated to
eradicating informal settlements by
the year 2020. HFHL also
participates in the World Habitat Day
sponsored by UN Habitat and the
MoLG.
Proposed Schedule for Anir Experience & HfH Build: Day 1 Pre-build (optional) Depart home for Cape Town South Africa Day 2 Arrive Cape Town Day 2-8 Cape Town Experience click here Day 8 (day 1 for folks not participating in pre-build they depart for Lesotho) Day 9 Cape Town Pre-build depart for Lesotho - everyone arrives in Lesotho Day 10 Orientation in Lesotho Day 11-16 Build Lesotho Day 17 R&R Lesotho cultural experience Day 18-22 build Day 23 - Closing Celebration Day 24-27 Post-build safari in Kruger National Park |
Stunning scenery, invigorating mountain air and endless blue skies" With all its land lying at altitudes of more than 1,000 metres, Lesotho is aptly described as "The Kingdom in the Sky". Indeed the country boasts the highest mountain in Southern Africa, Thaba-Ntlenyana, which towers to 3,482m. The size of Belgium, Lesotho also has the unusual distinction of being entirely surrounded by another country, the Republic of South Africa. [folks] come here not for the bush and big game, but for stunning scenery, invigorating mountain air and endless blue skies. Travel Highlights: In spite of new mountain roads, some areas of the country are still off the beaten track so pony trekking is a popular way to explore the country. The traditional lifestyle of the Basotho people can still be observed in the Lesotho Highlands. Building of the Katse Dam and the flooding of the Malibamatso Valley has created watersports and angling opportunities. Lesotho's capital, Maseru, has a number of colonial buildings, dating back to the start of the century. The Basotho Hat building, which houses a handicraft shop and a restaurant, is an important landmark. Here it is not unusual to see blanketed Basotho horsemen, with their distinctive conical hats, weaving through the heavy traffic or craftsmen manufacturing their goods in the front of modern office buildings. |
| Anir Experience - Habitat for Humanity Lesotho, Southern Africa Anir Pre-build Cape Town South Africa Habitat for Humanity Build Lesotho Anir Post-build Safari Kruger area South Africa |
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Day 1 Depart home for Lesotho Day 2 Arrive Lesotho Day 3 Orientation in Lesotho Day 4-12 Build Lesotho Day 13 R&R Lesotho cultural experience Day 14-17 build Day 18 - Closing Celebration Day 19-20 travel home or you can add 3-day post-build safari in Kruger National Park |