| LESOTHO |
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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. |
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