Help Lesotho Interview

#646 Great.com Talks With... Help Lesotho

Nestled in southern Africa, Lesotho is a nation grappling with the impacts of HIV/AIDS, widespread poverty, and systemic inequality. While these issues can seem overwhelming, Help Lesotho has spent nearly two decades creating a blueprint for sustainable change. The organization, founded in 2004, takes a deeply personal approach to supporting some of the most vulnerable communities, using education and emotional support to foster resilience and leadership.

Today we talked with Kate Lambert, the Executive Director of Help Lesotho, about how they provide holistic support that empowers individuals to take control of their lives and futures. At its core, Help Lesotho works with the people who are most affected—girls, grandmothers, and young men—to give them the tools to overcome adversity. Through its innovative programs, the organization supports leadership development and mental health, builds life skills, and works to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.

Education as a Catalyst for Change

Education sits at the heart of Help Lesotho’s mission, and for a good reason. In a country where many children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS or are growing up in homes struggling to survive, access to education can be life-changing. Help Lesotho’s school-based programs reach over 16,000 children each year, delivering vital lessons on HIV prevention, gender equality, and leadership. These sessions are more than just about learning—they offer young people the chance to see beyond the daily challenges of poverty, to imagine a future where they can thrive.

The organization’s reach extends beyond the classroom. Help Lesotho also runs youth leadership programs that provide mentorship and guidance to young men and women. These programs encourage participants to think critically, understand the power of their voices, and become change-makers in their own communities. In a country where gender-based violence is pervasive, this kind of leadership training is essential in challenging harmful societal norms and creating a culture of equality and respect.

Grandmothers, often the primary caregivers for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, also find a lifeline in Help Lesotho’s programs. Through community groups, these women receive emotional support, health information, and life skills training, giving them the confidence to continue caring for their families and contributing to their communities despite the many challenges they face.

Help Lesotho’s impact doesn’t stop at education and leadership. The organization’s mental health initiatives offer critical psychological support to those in crisis, helping individuals build emotional resilience. This is particularly important in a country where HIV/AIDS has devastated families and left many young people with deep emotional scars. By offering both practical support and emotional healing, Help Lesotho addresses the whole person, creating lasting change from within.

With its thoughtful, person-centered approach, Help Lesotho has touched the lives of over 250,000 people. Through their education and leadership programs, they continue to sow the seeds of change, nurturing individuals who will lead their communities toward a brighter future.

Want to know more about them? Make sure to read their stories, as every one of these stories matter, and to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.