AN EDUCATION charity set up by a group of British students 40 years ago in Lesotho has enabled more than 1500 students to improve their prospects in life.
Rebecca Chandler Wilde, one of the students who visited, from Imperial College, London, in 1982, to stay at the Anglican Convent of the Holy Name, said that the group discovered that many young people could not afford even the modest fees required to attend technical school and learn the skills needed to support their families.
Most people in Lesotho live under the poverty line, poverty is particularly severe in rural areas, and there is high unemployment.
Mrs Chandler-Wilde said: “We set up the Basotho Educational Trust [BET] with one simple aim: to provide scholarships to enable the most-needy students to access a technical education that would provide them with life-enhancing skills. Over the years, we have expanded to include catering, dressmaking, and computer skills. We concentrate on helping the neediest students — as long as they are prepared to work hard, and have the capacity to complete the course, we don’t expect them to be top of the class.
“We have always been a small charity, but run almost entirely by volunteers; our money has gone a long way.”
The Revd Dr Joseph Morenammele is the link in Lesotho with the British trustees. He says that 68 students are currently being supported by the charity to study on courses such as carpentry, bricklaying, motor mechanics, and home science. On average, each has support with about £3600 of the fees.
Mpho Nkhopea, who is 25, was orphaned at an early age, and found it hard to find permanent employment. She has been able to study fashion and design.
She said: “When I first registered with BET, I felt hopeless and uncertain about my future. Today, I am proud to say that I have gained valuable skills and confidence in what I do. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity that BET provided me, which has paved the way for a brighter future. My journey has taught me the importance of perseverance and seizing opportunities, and I am excited to see what lies ahead.”
Leibe Phoofolo is a member of the committee of BET in Lesotho, but originally benefited from a scholarship to complete his studies 30 years ago. He is now a college lecturer. He said: “I thank BET, because I wouldn’t be where I am without their scholarship.”