These are a Few of My Favorite Things

As my peers have been packing in preparation for leaving Lesotho, we have been discussing the things we packed two years ago. Most of us overpacked. Some, like me, were able to squeak just under the weight limits for luggage, while others were stuck with steep bag fees as penance for over-preparedness.

Looking back, I brought way too many clothes, some I have never worn and thanks to weight loss, will probably never wear again. Toiletries were another bulky item I brought too much of, as almost everything I need can be found here in Lesotho. There are other things that I brought that I have found invaluable. Here are some of my favorite items:

Number One: Chacos-Anyone who knew me before Peace Corps, already knows that I have been living in Chacos for about a decade now. They are my favorite footwear regardless of weather. They may look tacky with socks under the, but when the winter sun comes out and warms things up, I’d still rather be in my Chacos then sneakers or Toms. Turns out my Chacos-even without socks-are warmer than Toms too, thanks to their thick soles insulating my little feet from cold cement and stone.

Number Two: Bralette-These women-friendly wallets are a brilliant find from Eagle Creek. Pretty much any time I leave my community, I have this little guy tucked away out of site. To steal the majority of my cash, the thief would have to get pretty “friendly” with me and would be walking away with some nasty assault charges. The one time I tucked money in my bra loosely, I lost it. In this nifty, washable, silk guy, I do not even notice it is there until I need access to it! Definitely worth the pennies paid.

Number Three: Goal Zero Solar Panel-Living without electricity, my GoalZero stuff has been a lifesaver. I use it almost every day. I could have bought a solar panel here in Lesotho, however, the GoalZero one is designed to be portable so I can toss it in my backpack when headed to work or to visit other volunteers. The battery packs use AA batteries, so I can stock up on power when it is sunny and store it for cloudy ones. The USB plug in lets me charge my phone, speaker, and camera. My friend ended up with electricity and therefore let me borrow his larger panel as well. This has been invaluable in winter months when the days are shorter, making it harder to get my stuff charged. 

Number Four: Good Knives- Okay, I admit it, but American standards (including my own), the two kitchen knives I brought with me do not actually qualify as “good” knives. Compared to what can easily be purchased here in Lesotho, however, these two knives (and my sharpening stone from my sailing days) have proved invaluable. I have one locally bought knife and its edge is actually more rounded than the edge of a spoon. I tried sharpening it but to no avail. I still do not understand how my brothers and mother can use that knife to peel peaches or squash when I cannot get it to work at all. I am pretty sure my sanity and love of cooking would have both become questionable has I not brought these two colorful knives to keep myself happy.

Number Five: Camera-When it comes to cameras, I definitely overpacked. I brought my trusty DSLR, my iPhone, and an Olympus Stylus Tough. I figured I would use them in that order, however, the reality has been that the Stylus is my go to most of the time. The DSLR is too bulky and too flashy for my every day. The phone takes okay photos, but the Stylus takes great photos and can stand up to life’s challenges. I do not hesitate to let kids hold it and look at or take photos on it. I do not worry about it being exposed during a sudden summer downpour. On top of that, it can charge from my solar panel, unlike my DSLR. (Disclaimer: I still adore my little red DSLR and use it mostly on vacations when I anticipate great opportunities for photography nerdiness.)

Honorable Mention...Also known as What I should have packed…A Pastry Knife-While I have always been a fewer gadgets is better kind of person, my time in Lesotho has me baking far more than I have before. I survived using a fork to break up butter to make scones, sweet breads, apple crisp, and more. Then my sister visited me and laughed at my efforts. As soon as she returned to America, she bought me my very first pastry knife. This thing is better than gold! It does all the things it is supposed to do and even mashes bananas for banana bread and eggs for egg salad!

A Day with Bo-'M'e*

The chicken project is finally starting. In reality, the project started over a year ago, as mentioned in Workshop Woe and CheckingOut Chickens. But, as of this week, there is visible and financial proof that things are happening.

Coming soon to this spot: MCCC's Egg-Laying Chicken House!
Construction begins July 2016!

Monday, we met with two representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, who simply wanted to make sure that we had everything lined up. Then, on Tuesday morning, I trotted off to town with my counterpart, Ausi Mareisi, and two of the leaders in our group, ‘M’e ‘Matokelo and ‘M’e ‘Majustice.

Our first stop was the bank, where I withdrew half of the fund from our Peace Corps grant. Then, we headed to the store. Although we had our original quote, we had a few things to add to the shopping list so it took a few hours to complete our purchase. During the many long waiting times, we joked and laughed together while sitting on comfortable couches in the cold store.

Once we had paid and had the smaller items, we headed down to the loading area. Boloka was nice enough to give us free transport of our goods, but as we sat there half a dozen men with trucks approached us asking for the opportunity to transport our goods. Normally I get frustrated when people ask me for jobs as it is simply because they see my translucently white skin and assume that I have jobs to share. In this case, however, it made perfect sense as I obviously had not vehicle and had purchased large goods.

Watching them load 30 bags of cement.

While we waited…and waited..and waited for our goods to get loaded up, Bo-‘M’e grabbed the four of us lunch from a roadside vendor. We sat in the sun to stay warm while eating our meals amidst cement dust and a dozen men walking back and forth with building supplies.

Finally they began loading a truck with our goods. While three of us observed, a man came by and asked us for the job of unloading the thirty bags of cement he could see already loaded. ‘M’e ‘Majustice started by telling him that we did not have money to pay him. He tried bargaining with her, changing his offer from 80 Maloti to 70 to 60 and finally to only 50 Maloti. When she repeated that we did not have money to pay him, he transferred his attempts to me. I repeated the same things she said. He quieted for a bit before trying again. As frustration set in, I elaborated, explaining that the supplies were for a community project so we did not have money to pay people for labor. He immediately changed his tune and wished us luck. After he walked away, ‘M’e ‘Majustice quietly observed, “He must be very hungry, to do this much work for only 50. He is hungry.”

Still loading our supplies...almost done.

Throughout the loading process a number of younger men came up offering their strength to unload our supplies. None of them was willing to do it for less than 70. Each time I listened to ‘M’e ‘Majustice talking with them, I felt guilt over the hungry man. Although I remained polite externally, I had been frustrated by his persistence, not even reflecting on how disproportionate the work he was offering to complete was in comparison to the money he would accept. Days later, I wish I had simply accepted his offer and paid him out of my own pocket.

Finally our goods were ready. We learned the driver could only take one of us with him. After some discussion, it was agreed that ‘M’e ‘Majustice would go with him and that they would make a quick stop to purchase the trucks of sand we would need to mix with our cement. I gave her the money for the sand.

Ausi Mareisi, ‘M’e ‘Matukelo, and I then headed to the taxi rank, getting completely sidetracked. In front of one of the shops near the rank was a performer rapping and dancing. We stopped and watched the show, dancing and laughing together, until our taxi driver spotted us. He came over and told us there were only two spots in the taxi and he wanted to leave so we better get going.

Unloading the supplies

Thankfully, when we arrived, there were exactly three spots for us to take up and off we went. When we arrived at the community building, a handful of the women in MCCC were there. They had spent the day cleaning up the tall grass around the building while awaiting our delivery. Four men were unloading all our goods: three from Boloka Building Supply and one from the village. MCCC “tipped” the men from Boloka the same amount that we would have paid the man who begged us to hire him.

After the truck left, the women and I surveyed the goods in the hall. The women were thrilled that things are happening. They kept thanking me as I kept trying to say it was not me, but their efforts and work that made this happen. We finally agreed to disagree as we locked up the building.

As I walked away just before sunset, I marveled at what a productive day it had been. Other than the woman who worked with us at the building supply store and occasional conversations with Ausi Mareisi, I had completed an entire day in only Sesotho. We had bought our building supplies and sand. I had arranged to pay the deposit for our cages. While I had started the day thinking we would also buy the cement blocks for the house, time had not allowed it, so we had rescheduled that for later in the week. After a long day out and about, I was excited to head home and excited about our project taking shape.

*Bo-‘M’e:. ‘M’e means mother and is the title given to all married women. It is made plural by the “Bo” preceding it, so in this case it means more than one woman or mother.

MCCC’s Egg Laying Chicken Project has been in development since March 2015. After many delays, MCCC and I were able to write a successful grant proposal for a VAST grant through Peace Corps. VAST grants are funded by PEPFAR to help with HIV-related work and OVC (Orphan and Vulnerable Children) care. It is due to MCCC’s work with OCVs that qualified us for the VAST grant. Otherwise, we would have applied for a PCPP [Peace Corps Partnership Program] grant and would have been asking for assistance in funding this grant proposal. I encourage you to consider supporting other PCPP projects.

Posts about this project include:

Workshop Woe, Busiest of Birthdays, Checking Out Chickens, A Day with Bo-’M’e, Chicken Coop Construction Day One, Day Two, Day, Three, Day Four, Day Five

Failure to Adapt: 4 Cultural Things that Challenge Me

After more than two years in Lesotho, there are many aspects of Basotho culture that have become a part of my own identity and tradition. I absolutely love living here, as evidenced by the procrastination of My Peace Corps Service Conclusion. There are, however, times that the American inside me struggles with specific cultural norms...even when I understand them...even when I know where they originate from...even when I respect the. Here are a few norms in Lesotho that are so vastly different from my own past that I simply cannot seem to overcome them:

Here my Grade 6 Life Skills students sing for me, but
they have also insisted I stop teaching to answer my phone
when I forgot to turn the ringer off before class.

1. Interrupt Please!

I know and understand this. I do not take offense when someone interrupts our conversation for a ringing phone or to greet someone passing by. At the same time, every time I walk by a friend engrossed in a conversation, I have an internal battle between being a rude American and butting in with a greeting or being a rude Mosotho and walking by without saying hello. Every time I have to force myself to choose Basotho culture and interrupt with pleasantries. Every time.

2. Just Ask

As I explained in Motho Ke Motho Ka Batho, the cultural belief in Lesotho is that people are here to help one another. As a result, it is completely acceptable and even encouraged to ask people for what you need or want. Out of matches or salt, pop next door and ask for some. Need something from town and a neighbor is going, just ask. Hungry or thirsty after a long walk to another village, just pop into a random home and ask for food or drink. Traveling but not reaching your destination in a rural village before nightfall, just ask for a place to sleep.  The generosity and caring people show for one another is one of the most beautiful things about Basotho culture and tradition.

In America, however, we are staunchly independent. If we can do it ourselves, we should and do…especially in northern New England. Our Yankee Pride means we can barely accept help when it is offered and we never ask for it. When I first arrived in Lesotho, I struggled with people asking me for things. When people arrived at the Chief’s place, tired and thirsty from travel, I bristled that they felt it acceptable ask me for a glass of water when getting water requires work. I finally adapted and am comfortable sharing things as small as matches, salt, or water. I still struggle if someone asks me for food as I cook only enough for myself. And no matter how hungry or thirsty I get, I never ask for things.

This man insisted on a photo with me before assuring
me that he would be an excellent husband. 

3. Wife Up 

As I mentioned in Love and Marriage and My New Approach to Proposals, a  Mosotho man shows he is respectful and serious about a relationship by starting relationship conversations be bringing up marriage. Almost any time I am outside of my village, some man will say he wants to marry me or he will be my husband. Although I know that this is the polite opening to flirtation, the absurdly independent single woman inside me runs the other direction every time an offer or suggestion of marriage is made. I simply cannot start conversing casually with a man who suggests marriage before asking my name or knowing that I even understand the language he is speaking. 

4. Or at least Dial Up

A more modern version of opening with marriage proposals is to simply insist a woman give her phone number. I have seen men literally hang out of a taxi window and shout, "Give me your numbers baby!" More surprising to American me is that I have also seen women respond by giving the man her number! Once again, if someone starts with something big like a number instead of my name or a casual compliment, I simply cannot deal. I check out of the conversation, my smile becomes fake, and I internally role my eyes. It does not matter that I know this is the norm in Lesotho, I simply cannot wrap my brain around it and I will not be giving my digits this way.  

Blanket Wearing Weather

Winter in Lesotho means it is time for wearing blankets. Actually, Basotho wear blankets throughout the year, however, the blanket game is stepped up in the winter.

Women dressed up for our swearing-in ceremony. They are wearing seshoeshoe dresses and formal kobos.

The Kobo is a large blanket typically worn around the shoulders. Kobos play a significant role in Basotho culture. They are given as gifts at important life moments including marriage, Initiation School, and the birth of a woman's first child. Some designs and patterns have historical or cultural meaning as well. For example, the maize blanket represents fertility.

Men tie their kobo on the side, while women pin theirs in the center of the chest like a cape. For women, ensuring the lines of the kobo are even is of vital importance. Most Basotho have at least one nice kobo for dressy occasions and a number of older, well-worn ones that can be worn to stay warm on a daily basis.

The women in my organization staying warm as we work by wearing their charlies.

 The Charlie is a smaller blanket tied or pinned around the waist of a woman. Typically these are worn by married women-who are no longer to sit without sitting on a blanket and are expected to keep their core warm to ensure a healthy reproductive system. Often, however, when winter arrives, girls also wear them as they really help to keep a person warm.

 

While waiting to be weighed at the outreach clinic, this baby is staying warm despite the winter chill.

Baby Blankets are a year-round part of Basotho tradition-they are used to keep a baby on a woman’s back. In summer months, women will often use thing scarves or towels, but come winter, they utilize the same warm blankets they tie around themselves as a Charlie. Then, once the child is secured, another blanket is often put over the woman’s shoulders, cocooning the baby in warmth and protecting them from the elements. 

Women wearing all manner of blankets for a community meeting. The woman on the left has a baby under the blanket that covers her shoulders. As the sun became warm, many of the women removed their kobos from their shoulders and wrapped
them around their bodies instead.

Gender: LGL Summit and Madagascar

This is the fourth post on a mini-series about gender in Lesotho. While it can be read as a stand alone post, it is best read following Gender: An Intro, Gender: My Role and Work, and Gender: Ototo's Thoughts.

The LGL Summit participants and facilitators with the US Ambassador for Madagascar

As I mentioned in Gender: My Role and Work, I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the Peace Corps Let Girls Learn Summit for East and Southern Africa in Madagascar.

To get to Madagascar from Lesotho takes two days of travel-the travel time almost identical to traveling to New York. This is not because of time in the air, but the flight times available. So, after traveling all day Saturday and a four hour flight from South Africa on Sunday, we arrived with the Mozambique and South African representatives. We waited around at the airport for a bit as another flight with the rest of the group was delayed. 

As we walked from the airport to the bus, I marveled at the differences in cars from the mainland of Africa. In southern Africa, most cars are Toyotas or Volkswagons. Here, we were surrounded by the rounded bodies of Peugeots and Renaults. It took me a few minutes to realize the other thing that was surprising me: the steering wheels were all on the left side of the cars like in the US. After two years of looking at drivers on the right, I was surprised to see Madagascar is different and that it took me so long to figure it out. 

As we left the airport, dusk was approaching. We drove through the capital city of Antananarivo for a long time, looking at the primarily two-story buildings sitting nearly on top of the roads. By the time we were out of the capital it was dark. Although we were told it was typically a two hour drive to our destination, it took four, partially due to sitting for an hour waiting for an accident to be cleared. 

Despite being travel-weary when we finally arrived at Peace Corps Madagascar's lovely Training Center, it was impossible not to feel welcomed by the friendly, smiling faces of our facilitators, hosts, and fellow participants as we walked into the dining room. 

Team Lesotho rocking our traditional Seshoeshoe dresses:
me, 'M'e 'Mamakola, 'M'e 'Mamasupha, and Katie

Thus began a week of incredible work and fun alongside Peace Corps Volunteers and Staff from eight countries around Africa. Together we learned ways to implement Let Girls Learn in our countries. We started by discussing why girls education is vital to development. Facts such as "Increases in women's education are responsible for more than half the reduction in under-five child mortality," "If every woman had primary education, maternal mortalities could fall by 70%" and "With each additional year of schooling, overall economic growth increases 5%-12%"  really drive home the value of educational opportunity for women and girls in all communities around the globe. 

We spent the bulk of the week looking at how we as Peace Corps can help communities, schools, and individuals place a higher value on the education and success of girls. I am particularly impressed with the way the Peace Corps Headquarters team has designed the program to be woven into the work PCVs in our countries are already working, instead of introducing a huge amount of new work to be done. 

Having education volunteers work to decrease corporal punishment and gender-specific problems at schools, for example, can help girls to stay in school and learn more while there. Working to ensure schools have "girl-friendly" latrines can help girls to not miss school during their menstrual cycles, especially when combined with projects to make reusable pads with the students. In Lesotho, all volunteers work on teaching Life Skills and have the opportunity to work with youth clubs, both of which are big aspects of the Let Girls Learn program. 

The Mountain Kingdom (that's Lesotho)'s implementation plan-many
acronyms because we are Peace Corps!

Another thing about the Let Girls Learn program that I found incredibly well planned is the push to engage the community at large and especially men and boys. Positive changes to cultural views, as noted last week in Ototo's article, requires far more than just the input of those who benefit the most from the changes. If men and boys are not included in the process, it will not succeed. 

Enjoying dinner with friends from PC Tanzania
 and PC Madagascar on our last night. 

One of my favorite things about the entire summit, however, were the moments spent outside of sessions. We were in session from 8:30 to 5:30 every day but our mealtimes and evenings were spent connecting with one another. Learning about the cultural similarities and difference between the countries we work in and the way that Peace Corps operates in difference countries was fascinating. I am sure I am not along in saying I got a plethora of new ideas from the staff and volunteers from different posts. 

With the summit complete on Saturday afternoon, I took the remaining two hours or daylight to explore the area around the Training Center, binoculars in hand, hoping for at least one new bird species to cap off a week spent in a country with numerous unique bird species. It was an unsuccessful attempt, although I did hear some and I checked out some cool mushrooms. 

The next day, our daylight drive to the airport allowed me the chance to see more of Madagascar. The hills and rice fields were beautiful. I was again impressed by the size of the capital in comparison to anything in Lesotho...but then again, Madagascar is significantly larger than Lesotho. While I would have loved a bit of time to check out birds and lemurs, the trip was predominantly about LGL and Peace Corps and I loved every minute of it. 

A bridge from the road to the rice fields on our drive into Antananarivo

Antananarivo or "Tana" sprawling into the background. Sadly I shot this just before the city's "Hollywood" styled sign
came into view. 

Gender: Ototo's Thoughts

This is the third post on a mini-series about gender in Lesotho. While it can be read as a stand alone post, it is best read following Gender: An Intro and Gender: My Role and Work.

My fellow PCV and great friend Mackenzie's counterpart Ototo is amazing. Together these two incredible women have been forces for gender during their two year partnership. In addition to the regular life skills they do with youth in schools throughout their community, they have coordinated four youth camps focused on gender and leadership. Two of these were Camp YOLO or Youth Optimizing Leadership Opportunities. Male and female high school students worked with together to become strong leaders for positive change in their schools including creating a student council to help organize their efforts. 

Recently, Ototo wrote a piece for our Gender Equality Lesotho committee's annual newsletter. With her permission, I am thrilled to share it as part of this Gender series.

The Importance Of Gender Equality In Lesotho
By Ototo Taleng

According to my understanding, gender empowerment means both sexes, men and women, girls and boys, enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and work. Simply put, both men and women work together and meet each other half way.

Gender equality is important and highly needed in my country, Lesotho. However, I have noticed that we, Basotho, can improve in gender equality while further implementing the ideal of equality. I say this because without gender equality there is no foundation for healthy relationships. People fail to trust each other, which can lead to gender-based-violence. In addition, gender-based-violence can affect the economy of the country. For example, as a female director with a nonprofit organization in Lesotho, I have found that many people will not support my choices for the organization, simply because I am not a man. The inequality among genders leads women to make poor choices, such accepting violence from their husbands or boyfriends.

Mackenzie and Ototo lead activities at camp.

Gender equality is also needed in Lesotho because women are not given the chance to prove that they can bring social change. I believe women are not only looking to create equality in childcare and among the house duties, but economically and socially too.

To bring awareness to female empowerment and gender equality, I help direct the GLOW camps and BRO camps. I believe these camps play an important role in fulfilling the issue of gender empowerment. For example, during the camps we discuss the advantages of equality rights through lessons and demonstrations. After the camp, the campers are given an opportunity to be Peer Mentors in other camps like Camp YOLO (Youth Optimizing Leadership Opportunities).

It is during Camp YOLO that Peer Mentors are able to teach and implement what they learned during their GLOW or BRO camps. This creates leadership opportunities and demonstrates gender equality. Peer Mentors and camp participants are all working together to improve gender equality. They also know they can overcome challenges, which is important for self esteem and leadership in all gender.

Ototo and Mackenzie's work has included a training program
and support group for fathers raising motherless
children, this included a  heavy focus on
building positive father-daughter relationships.

I believe gender equality can be achieved through youth camps. It is very interesting to see students helping each other and become good role models to others. It is nice to see campers acting “outside of the box” as they avoid hurtful and harmful gender norms and expectations. I believe Lesotho can be a country that supports gender equality and I believe the camps are a good starting point for teaching the importance of becoming a leadership in equality.

Be sure to read the next in the mini-series on Gender: Gender: LGL Summit and Madagascar.

My Peace Corps Service Conclusion

Fresh off the plane, my training group's arrival in Lesotho
June 5, 2014

Exactly two years ago, I stepped off a small plane with 18 new friends and set foot in the country that would become my home for the next twenty-seven months. I was officially a Peace Corps Trainee.

People often ask me what my expectations were when I arrived in Lesotho. Usually this questions comes from Basotho, wondering what I expected of their beloved home. Thanks to the wonders of technology and a decent amount of travel before arriving in Lesotho, I did not develop many expectations of the country.

I did, however, have expectations about Peace Corps in general.

I expected living in a different culture, language, and country would be exhausting, strange, and constantly challenging. Some days it is, but usually, it is just life.

I expected I would constantly miss family and friends in America. I do, but I am blessed to live in a country with fairly reliable 3G cellular data and to own a small solar panel so I have been in contact with people more as a PCV than when I was sailing offshore.

I expected that both of these things would have me counting down the months, weeks, or even days until my service ended and I returned to America as a more aware, more global, and more patient version of myself. Instead, when I notice the passage of time, I do so with dread.

My training group at our recent Close of Service workshop.

With 24 of my 27 months of in country completed, it is obvious that I am nowhere near ready to leave. When I had only 12 of my 27 months completed, I knew I would not be ready to leave. When I visited friends and family in America at month 16, I warned them I might not be ready to leave.

So...as many of my training group is now counting down the 6 to 8 weeks until they finish their Peace Corps service in Lesotho, as they are saying their goodbyes and finalizing their travel, work, or graduation school plans, I am not.

Kea hana (I refuse). Ha ke batle ho tsamaea hana joale (I do not want to leave right now). Ke tla sala mo (I will stay here).

I am excited to officially announce that I will be staying in Lesotho and Peace Corps for a third year!

Instead of heading home in July or August 2016, I will be here until August 2017!

I will be serving as a PCVL or Peace Corps Volunteer Leader this year. In addition to working with my host organization, I will also work more closely with Peace Corps staff on a variety of things including training and site development.

I will stay at my beloved site in Botha Bothe for a few extra months to finish things like the chicken project and to watch my brother finish secondary school. Then, I will be moving to a new host organization, closer to Maseru and the Peace Corps office so that I am better able to do my work with Peace Corps.

Watching some of my closest friends in Lesotho move on toward their new adventures while I remain is not easy. I have not lived here without these people and I have a hard time imagining my life in Lesotho without them. But, I have an even harder time imagining what I would do if I had to leave this amazing place and these incredibly people in the next few months.

I dusted off my old yearbook skills and brought them into the new millenia for our Close of Service workshop. Check out my second ever attempt at making videos on my computer:

Gender: My role and work

This is the second post on a mini-series about gender in Lesotho. While it can be read as a stand alone post, it is best read following Gender: An Intro.

Finding my own role as an American woman in this world has been interesting. In my mid-thirties, I am at an age where culturally men may still be single, but women are married and reproducing. When people learn I am unmarried, they often ask how many children I have, as it is beyond comprehension that I am not at the very least being a mother at my age.

I could push this wheelbarrow with my new gas tank, but
accepting help-even from ten year old brothers-is culture.

I like to do things for myself, however, when I left Pre-Service Training, I recognized that to accomplish any work in my community, I would need to integrate. If I constantly fight to do everything for myself, that makes integration harder, so I have tried to balance my fierce self-reliance with accepting help.

When I show up at an event, I am relegated to a chair, not encouraged to jump in on cooking, serving, or washing dishes. But, my chair is not placed with the men. So, I sit with either a few grandmothers or teenage girls, being served by the women because integrated or not, I am still a guest.

Women typically do not drink beer. If they drink, it is sweet wines and ciders. I once told a female friend that I prefer beer and was told, "Oh no, you must drink like a lady."


I have tried throughout my service to open people's eyes to the gender stereotypes here in Lesotho and to challenge them to consider that women or men can do all things. Early in my service, I became a member and the eventual co-chair of Gender Equality Lesotho [GEL], a Peace Corps Committee focusing on gender equality.

Through my role with GEL, I have encouraged other volunteers to work with gender in their projects and classes. Whether it celebrating international days connected to gender like International Men's Day, International Women's Day, and the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence or hosting gender related youth activities like clubs and camps, there is a huge amount that can be done to educate on gender and help bridge the gaps in the treatment of men and women in Lesotho and around the world.

Co-directing Camp GLOW last year was a highlight in my own gender work in Lesotho. It provided not only the opportunity to help 190 young women feel empowered to and deserving of achieving their goals, but provided a conversation starter about gender for countless conversations in the months preceding and following the camp. Similarly, helping with my friend Yolanda's Camp BRO meant I had a chance to interact with fifty young men and to show that breaking gender barriers is about more than just women.


Just over a year ago, Peace Corps and First Lady Michelle Obama announced a partnership program called Let Girls Learn. The goal of this impressive initiative is to decrease the obstacles and challenges young women face in completing their education and become positive, productive members of their society. In its first year, Let Girls Learn was introduced in 13 Peace Corps countries around the world.

To raise public awareness for Let Girls Learn, the #62MillionGirls campaign was launched and even included a billboard in Times Square. People from around the world-celebrities to school girls in rural villages participated-by uploading their photo. The goal is to achieve 62 million photos to represent the 62 million girls worldwide that do not have access to education.

I followed the introduction of Let Girls Learn closely, while celebrating that there are still many barriers for women, but school-based education is not one of them. Then, Let Girls Learn announced that in its second year it would more than double its reach. With twenty-three countries added, Lesotho made the list! My understanding is that Lesotho was considered despite its high prevalence of young women in school because those same young women face an HIV infection rate of 40%. No one else in the country is more at risk of contracting HIV.

Two months ago, we learned that Peace Corps would be hosting a regional Let Girls Learn Summit for a representatives from each country to participate in. After applying, I was chosen as one of the two PCVs to attend our summit! I cannot wait to share the exciting things we discuss and learn this week with my fellow PCVs, Basotho, and you!