Ireland & Wales Team Visit: April 2023

During the Easter break, a team of fifteen travelled from Ireland and Wales to spend two weeks in HaLebesa, Lesotho, partnering with the One Day. Patrice Duff led the group that included primary school teachers, SNAs, community workers, an IT professional, two students, and a special needs educator. Three team members came from Wales and the rest from Ireland. Together, they brought a range of skills and a willingness to learn, serve, and build relationships

Supporting Local Schools in HaLebesa, Lesotho

Much of the team’s time was spent in local schools. Our teachers worked alongside staff in HaLebesa Primary School and the local preschool, sharing ideas, observing classes, and facilitating peer teaching sessions over three days. The fourth day was given to a whole-school sports day, which brought energy and celebration to the school grounds.

During the visit, the Department of Education attended a special gathering to receive educational resources that the team had brought to support teaching and learning. Around one third of the pupils in the primary school are children from One Day homes, so strengthening the school environment directly benefits our wider family. On the same day, electricity was officially switched on at the school, a project that had been fundraised for by a previous team. It was a meaningful moment for the school community, and our team felt honoured to be present and to share in the celebration with local teachers and staff.

Easter Camp with Children at One Day Lesotho

At the One Day site, the children were on Easter holidays, which created space for a full Easter camp. The team organised a programme of arts and crafts, sports, Lego club, board games, face painting, and group activities.

A highlight of the week was a multicultural celebration evening, where Lesotho, Ireland, and Wales were each represented through music, dance, flags, and food. The children had prepared Basotho decorations and flags in the days leading up to the event. Welsh cakes, Irish stew, and Tayto crisps were shared alongside traditional Basotho dance and song. It was a joyful expression of friendship across cultures.

The camp concluded with a day out to Kimberlite Park. The children enjoyed swimming pools, bouncy castles, horse riding, and a shared meal. Opportunities like this allow the children to experience something different together and to build shared memories as a family.

The Beginning of the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Programme

This trip also marked the beginning of what has since developed into our Additional Learning Needs programme. Tina, who travelled from Wales with her children Ellie and Iwan, spent time listening carefully to our House Mothers about the challenges they faced in supporting children with additional needs. Through conversations and practical observation, it became clear that there was a significant gap in understanding and educational provision for children requiring additional support.

Those early discussions and shared reflections have laid the groundwork for an emerging ALN initiative, developing in response to local need..

Experiencing the Culture and Landscape of Lesotho

Alongside their work, the team were able to experience more of Lesotho’s culture and landscape. They visited local caves, explored the markets in Buthe Butha, shared meals together, and spent time in a nearby nature reserve. These experiences deepened their understanding of the country and strengthened relationships within the group and with the local community.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip. The majority of the team have expressed a desire to return to Lesotho in the future. We remain grateful for the welcome we received in HaLebesa and for the opportunity to continue walking in partnership with local leaders, teachers, and families.