October 2022 Team Visit : Strengthening Care and Community in HaLebesa

In late October and early November 2022, a team travelled from Ireland to HaLebesa to support the ongoing work of One Day. As the project continues to grow, each visit carries a particular focus. This trip centred on strengthening care structures, investing in our house parents, and supporting the development of our social work systems.

For many on the team, the journey itself is part of the experience. Travel from Ireland involves long flights, overnight layovers, and a lengthy drive from Johannesburg into the mountains of Lesotho. Often we arrive in the evening, tired but expectant. The first real moment comes the next morning, when people step outside and see the mountain landscape for the first time. The stillness, the scale, and the sense of being somewhere entirely different can be striking.

Waking up on the mountain has a way of slowing people down. It creates space to reflect, to listen, and to engage more intentionally. Many who travel on teams begin as strangers to one another, but shared purpose and shared work quickly build meaningful friendships. There is something unifying about stepping into a context together and serving with a common goal.

Investing in House Parents Through Training

A significant portion of this trip was devoted to training and development for our house parents. We were grateful to have several qualified social workers on the team, bringing relevant expertise to this stage of the project.

The social workers facilitated sessions focused on child development, trauma awareness, safeguarding practices and strengthening family routines within the homes. The training was collaborative and practical, creating space for discussion and shared learning. Our house parents engaged fully, asking thoughtful questions and contributing from their own experience.

At the end of the training period, we held a small graduation celebration to mark the completion of the programme. The house parents dressed up for the occasion, and we acknowledged the commitment they have shown. It was a simple but meaningful moment. Their role is central to the wellbeing of the children, and it was important to honour that.

Strengthening Social Work Structures

Earlier in 2022, we appointed a full-time social worker to the One Day team. As the number of children has grown, so too has the need for consistent case management, professional oversight and strong safeguarding standards.

The visiting social workers worked closely with our newly appointed social worker throughout the trip. Together, they reviewed systems, discussed case processes and helped establish clearer routines for documentation and support. This kind of peer collaboration strengthens the foundation of the work and ensures that care is delivered responsibly and thoughtfully.

While this work is largely behind the scenes, it directly impacts the stability and safety of every child in the homes.

Honouring Local Leadership

Each time a team arrives in HaLebesa, we make a point of meeting with the village chief. She has supported the project from the early days, and maintaining that relationship remains essential.

The team had the opportunity to meet her, introduce themselves and share the focus of the visit. These conversations build trust and reinforce our commitment to operate transparently and in partnership with local leadership. For many team members, this meeting is an important reminder that the project exists within a wider community context.

Practical Work and After-School Programmes

Alongside the training focus, the team joined in with practical tasks around the site. Ongoing building and maintenance work continues as the project develops, and additional hands make a real difference.

In the afternoons, team members ran after-school activities with the children. These sessions included games, creative activities and structured initiatives designed to support learning and confidence. The children look forward to these moments of variety and interaction, and the team valued the opportunity to build relationships through shared activity.

A Day at Kimberlite Park

One highlight of the trip was a visit to Kimberlite Park, an initiative started by our friends Jabi and Makata, who were instrumental in helping us secure land in the early days of the project. Located outside Butha-Buthe, Kimberlite Park provides a welcoming recreational space.

The children enjoyed horse riding, bouncy castles and a shared meal together. For many, these experiences were entirely new. It was a joyful day that offered both celebration and rest.

The Gift of Participation

Trips like this are not only about what is accomplished on site. They are also about what happens within those who come. Exposure to a different culture, rhythm of life and community setting often reshapes perspective. Serving alongside local leaders and house parents fosters respect and mutual learning.

For many, the experience of living simply on the mountain, sharing meals, working together and engaging with the community leaves a lasting impact. Friendships formed on teams often continue long after the journey home.

Looking Ahead

This October visit has been marked by thoughtful investment in people and systems. Strengthening safeguarding, supporting our social worker and equipping house parents are all part of building well for the long term.

We are grateful for the team who travelled and for the expertise they offered so generously.

Each year, we run teams to Lesotho where professional skills, practical abilities and willing hands can all be put to good use. If you have experience in social work, education, governance, trades or simply a desire to serve, we would love to explore how you might be part of a future visit.