Into Africa

Description of the location

'Mamohau and Koa are small villages within the district of Leribe and are high up in the mountains. Both are accessed through the larger village of Ha Lejone. Mahlekefane is approximately a fifty minute drive higher up into the mountains and ‘Mamohau is another 7 minutes along the main road. There are no phones lines at either school and no electricity at Mahlekefane. It is a very beautiful area with very green mountains in the summer months. Temperatures can drop below zero in both locations during winter months. Summer nights are warm, however.

I will be helping at Mahlekefane as well as 'Mamohau. It seems to be much worse off. Classes range from 100 to 115 students (the govt provides one teacher per grade no matter how many kids this is). Half of the classes are held in a large tent. There is no heat in the tent or school building.

General information

Transportation: Taking public transport to ‘Mamohau High school is simple. The Hlotse bus rank is located behind the main road (on the same side as PEP) The stall for ‘Mamohau is on the far right past all the market stalls. You must buy your ticket (R22.30) before boarding the taxi. Hold on to your ticket, as you will be asked to present it once you reach your final destination. Approximately half way through the mountains, there is a checkpoint where you will be asked to get off the bus with your luggage and walk through the gate on foot. They may check your bag but white people are usually waved through. The checkpoint was built during the building of the Katse Dam. Car theft was a huge problem and this checkpoint was built to stop thieves from stealing the cars of those workers working on the Katse Dam Project. If you are driving through the checkpoint they will simply open the gate for you and wave you through.

$can = about 5 rand. The South African rand is worth the same as the Lesotho loti and both are used

Ntate Peter Sebuyira is the deputy of '‘Mamohau and lives in Hlotse. He normally travels to ‘Mamohau on Sunday pm and returns to Hlotse on Friday pm. He is happy to give people lifts to and fro.

I think I will be going to Hlotse for the odd wild weekend. I can stay at the guest house run by the nuns - and it has, wait for it, - a shower! It is also where the office of Help Lesotho in case I need help with something. I suspect that I can get reasonable Internet access there.

Facilities: Ha Lejone is a village which you must pass through in order to reach both Mahlekefane and ‘Mamohau and is the village identified on most road signs for the area (there is a road sign for Ha Lejone in Hlotse but not for ‘Mamohau). It is also the home of a number of teachers from ‘Mamohau High School including the Principal, Moima Kaoli. There are no banking facilities in Ha Lejone. There are a number of small shops where supplies are available including fruit, vegetables and household items. There are two restaurants in Ha Lejone. Turn left at the first road in the village and about 200 metres down (past the primary school) on your right there are a number of grey hut/houses. These are available for rent. (Prices are not known). There is a small ‘restaurant’ on the premises. You can either eat in or take it away. A typical dish cost about R20 and included meat (beef or chicken), rice and vegetables. Chooks is another restaurant. It is located another 200 metres down on the left hand sign. There is a sign at the entrance of an off road. Both offer similar meals at similar prices. You are best to let them know in advance that you are coming, as they do not have regular hours. The owners at Chooks are very flexible and accommodating for special food preferences s long as it is given well in advance. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are available at Chooks.

I was told that the restaurants 'often' have meat. I think it is about a 90 minute walk for me and I may end up going once a week.

Accommodations: Ntate Moima Koali, the Principal of ‘‘Mamohau High School, lives in Ha Lejone has offered to have volunteers stay at his home. This is good for short stays (1-3 night). He has Internet access at his home and is fine with people using it. Volunteers should limit their use to no more than 15 minutes a day as Internet is very expensive. Emails should be written off-line on a word document and pasted into an email. Emails received should be cut and pasted and read off-line. Surfing should not be done for any reason. If you need specific information you can email someone in Canada and have him or her do the research for you.

I am happy to receive emails (n35sailor@hotmail.com) but I can only copy and paste them later. It may be something like a two week wait for a reply (at best), so don't worry if a reply does not come quickly.

There is a small Basotho Hut near ‘Mamohau High School (500metres) which is owned by Ntate Mothobi who is on the regional Education Board. He has offered to have volunteers stay there. The hut is very comfortable with a large bed and kitchen table and wardrobe. It also has good cooking facilities including paraffin stove but there is no running water or electricity. Water will be supplied, as you need it. Arrangements for longer stays should be negotiated along with price.

I think I may be living in this hut but I am not sure. I have been told there is accomodation but not told where.

Accommodations at Mahlekefane have yet to be organized. ‘Me’ Ratia, the principal of Mahlekefane says she can put people up at the health centre around the side of the mountain.

‘Mamohau Mission Hospital is located near the High School. It is attached to the SOC Convent. Sr. Constancia (head of administration), Sr. Catherine (Hospital matron) and Sr. Bertha (Superior) live at this small convent. Volunteers may stay at the convent for short periods (1-3 nights). They are very welcoming. Even if you are not staying at the Convent they would appreciate a visit.

There is an excellent Clinic on the way to the convent which is very forward in its thinking. HIV/AIDS testing is available.

# posted by Bruce @ 9:16 AM