Life will never be the same for the Lecheko family

Here are pictures of the Lecheko's new home.
Blessings to everyone who has supported this project.

Thank You!

Thank you for your support and prayers when we were in Lesotho and as the Lecheko family home is finished.  They were so thankful for their new home and it really was a time of celebration for the entire community. Please continue  to keep the Lecheko family and people of Lesotho in your prayers.

Kea leboha (Thank you)!


Here are some local articles about the new Lecheko home.

http://sundayexpress.co.ls/new-home-for-needy-ha-mokuba-family/

http://www.harvestfm.co.ls/article.aspx?id=55&h=Berea--Gods-love-was-shown-once-again-through-Habitat-for-Humanity-Lesotho-An-organization-that-i#.VzQ-PucpPeQ.facebook

http://www.informativenews.co.ls/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1096%3Adecreasing-homelessness-linked-to-eradicating-poverty&catid=14&Itemid=109

Building

Here is a picture of the build site that awaited us on our first day.



At the mouth of the canyon is the Ha-Mokuba village where the Lecheko family lives now.


On the first day, we trekked over to the village and met the Lecheko family.  The grandmother, Matimello, lives with her orphaned sixteen year old granddaughter, Mapaseka, orphaned fourteen year old grandson, Ts'epang, and her son, Motlalepula (all pictured below).


Their  rectangular house that they were using as a bedroom collapsed earlier this year,  leaving them with this circular house as their bedroom and kitchen.

The week went by quickly as we tried to make progress and finish their home and latrine while not hindering the hired masons too much. We did have some time to play with the village children. Jim teaches them the fine art of hackey-sack below.


Laura's favorite activity was the block passing line since everyone would get involved.


We did spend a day in the hole (digging the latrine), or should I say that Jim and Abennie Masopa spent a day in the hole.


Here's progress at the end of the week. The interior wall was nearly complete and the house was ready for the trusses.


There was a ceremony and celebration with food on the final day of our build. The Lecheko family was very happy, grateful, and I assume anxious to move in.

Pictures - Getting to the home site

As promised, here are some pictures from the Lesotho Global Village trip. Here's our greeting at Joburg airport - Andrea, our team leader, and Manoza, our driver and owner of the transport company.  Yes, Jim is in the background.

Here's the border crossing into Lesotho. Lesotho is referred to as the Mountain Kingdom. You'll notice the vendor stands immediately on the left. Yes, they drive on the left (British influence).

Here's a typical (busy) street in Maseru, Lesotho.

We're heading to the bus for our first work day.

The ride to the work site each day was very scenic. As I think I mentioned earlier, the geography was a mix of northern NM and Canyonlands. Here's typical housing. You'll notice the large cactus.

This picture gives you a good idea of the landscape.

Back in Joburg

We traveled back to Joburg yesterday. Made a few stops in Lesotho for souvenirs. We can't believe how cheap everything is here. The blankets made by the Bathoso are amazing! It's a good thing we brought an extra bag. We said goodbye to our Bathoso Habitat friends at the border (with South Africa). Abang had been with us the entire time while we were in Lethoso. Hiking back to the bus on Thursday from the Kome caves, Abang said that he hopes we return soon to Lethoso. He did mention previously that their 50th anniversary of countryhood souvenirs will be out in October. We were hoping to get some while here.

It was a quiet bus ride back to Joburg. Some headed straight home last night, others went on various excursions. We are staying in Joburg for a few days to see the sights and will head home on Tuesday, getting back home on Wednesday.

We went out today to buy some South African souvenirs for family and as always, it was an adventure. The plan for tomorrow is the Lion Park.

Dedication

We didn't know what to expect today. We knew there would be a dedication ceremony and handing over of the keys so to speak (since there's no door yet). The entire Habitat Lesotho crew came out...and helped in the morning block line, our morning ritual. Two trucks showed up at around 10am, about an hour after we got to the work site. A TV camera and crew of perhaps one and many dignitaries arrived with numerous chairs. We were allowed to work...or watch the masons and then work a bit until 12:30ish when the batch of mortar ran out. We then attended the dedication ceremony along with the Hamakuba community. The grandmother spoke through tears and it was very touching. It's obvious from talking to everyone that the true beneficiaries of the home are the two orphaned children.

After the ceremony and the ribbon cutting, the presentation of our Kea Leboha (thank you) gifts, and posed pictures; everyone ate - first the dignitaries, guests (us), and family, then the workers, then the community in a very organized fashion - men, women, and finally children. Some of our team started washing dishes and silverware with sanitary wipes since the supply was getting low...and indeed we reused them for the children. After eating, it was a general festive time with loads of pictures, Kea Lebohas, hugs, baby holding, and good byes. ABenny Masopa was one of the workers from a nearby village who was helping out on his friend's home. As the hired Masons, he was a hard worker, genuine, and very generous. We met a lot of good people on this trip!

Holiday

Today is a holiday and as pseudo union workers, we could not work today. So we visited Setsoto Design, a local place (across the valley) with hand woven tapestries / souvenirs. The wall hangings were quite amazing...and we had to buy one. We then went to Kome Cave which is a group of cave dwellings made out of mud. They are still inhabited by the descendants of the original people who built the caves. Since our bus could not make it all the way on the 4-wheel drive road, we had to walk back up the road a ways to the bus. Some kids tagged along with us all the way to the bus. I have a good picture of them...and one of them inquiring about Jim's watch.
It's easier to communicate with the children since they learn English in school, then as adults, most don't speak English as much.

Thought I would be able to post pictures tonight, but I need more than my iPad, so they will have to wait until we get home.

One thing that amazes everyone is how happy the Bathoso are and the independence of the children.