This week, Econet Telecom Lesotho urged two students who are heading to America to further their studies in higher education courtesy of support from the mobile network company’s Higherlife Foundation Lesotho. theReporter’s Neo Kolane got Econet Telecom Lesotho’s marketing communications and customer experience division Puleng ‘Mathabo Masoabi to provide further details on the foundation.
Can you please tell Basotho what the HigherLife Foundation is about.
Higherlife Foundation Lesotho is telecommunications giant, Econet Telecom Lesotho’ social investment arm. It is a social impact organization that has been investing in human capital to build thriving individuals, communities and sustainable livelihood for over 25 years.
Founded by philanthropists Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa in 1996 out of their deep Christian faith, heartfelt compassion as well as their personal experiences of orphanhood, Higherlife Foundation has been investing in Lesotho to positively impact Basotho livelihoods since 2011. Econet Telecom Lesotho sets aside a percentage of its annual revenue to cater for all Higherlife Foundation Lesotho’s needs.
What specific programmes does the HigherLife Foundation run in Lesotho?
Higherlife Foundation Lesotho is currently implementing programmatic interventions across all the 10 districts of Lesotho with particular focus on Education Support through scholarship programs, Educator training and Learning resources distribution.
We also focus on Leadership and Lifelong Development though our Mentorship programs. Under Institutions/Children’s Homes we offer assistance to children’s homes with different interventions and Additional Opportunities we support with Food and hygiene packages, medical support, gender training, sanitary ware distribution in partnership with Hlokomela Banana, and pastoral care in schools.
How does the foundation support education and health in the country?
We provide scholarships to orphans and vulnerable children as well the academically gifted Basotho students from ECCD up to tertiary.
These scholarships are for Basotho students to study not only in Lesotho but across other different parts of the world. When children are enrolled under our programs, we cater for all their needs to ensure that they are well holistically.
We also provide capacity strengthening to teachers we work with at ECCD and Secondary levels, mainly on social issues that might affect the children so that they are refreshed on effective ways of providing support. Moreover, we provide learning resources to teachers at ECCD centers as our contribution towards reaching the desired learning outcomes in Lesotho. We have also partnered with Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Bereng Seeiso’s girl child program called Hlokomela Banana which is aimed at eradicating period poverty within school going girls.
What types of scholarships are available to students in Lesotho through the HigherLife Foundation?
HigherLife Foundation Lesotho offers two types of scholarships. Since 2011, we have been offering the Capernaum scholarship to orphaned and vulnerable students from grade 8. The scholarship caters for children who have lost one or both parents, or those whose parents cannot afford to put them through tertiary education.
In 2022 we introduced the Moshoeshoe I scholarship named after the founder of the Basotho nation; Morena Moshoeshoe I. This scholarship is dedicated to academically gifted Basotho students who demonstrate leadership acumen, and commitment to serving their communities, are passionate about pursuing STEM careers and have completed their LGCSE.
To date, we have 1616 Capernaum students and 20 Moshoeshoe I students who benefited from HigherLife Foundation Lesotho scholarships since inception. HLF is currently in the process of recruiting 200 more Capernaum students and 10 more Moshoeshoe 1 scholarship recipients.
How can students apply for these scholarships?
Applicants can visit our website on: https://applications.higherlifefoundation.com/ as soon as the application season starts. We also do district outreaches to assist applicants to go through the application process in collaboration with district education offices.
What health-related projects does the HigherLife Foundation support in Lesotho?
When founded, Higherlife Foundation used to primarily serve children who had lost their parents because of HIV/AIDS. But with time, factors that led to children’s vulnerability grew and the need for support became rampant to the extent that the foundation revised and designed new programs that aimed at addressing the emerging needs.
In Lesotho, we have partnered with Hlokomela Banana, a girl empowerment program under Her Majesty’s Trust to provide dignity packs for rural school going girls. The distribution of these packs goes together with Menstrual Health Education sessions.
The foundation also offers scholarships and educational support to students pursuing careers in healthcare such as medical studies. By investing in the education of future healthcare professionals, Higherlife Foundation contributes to building a stronger health workforce in Lesotho.
Higherlife Foundation Lesotho also addresses malnutrition and food insecurity, particularly among vulnerable children with the main focus being Children’s Homes. We provide livelihoods support through agricultural inputs provision in different homes. We also provide our needy beneficiaries with food packs that are aimed at increasing attendance rates in schools.
How does the partnership with Econet Telecommunications benefit the HigherLife Foundation’s work in Lesotho?
The collaboration between HigherLife Foundation and Econet Telecommunications greatly enhances the foundation’s impact in Lesotho by leveraging Econet’s resources, technology, and network infrastructure. The foundation is fully funded by Econet Telecom Lesotho.
Econet Telecom Lesotho’s extensive telecommunications network enables HigherLife Foundation to reach remote and under-served areas in Lesotho. Through mobile technology, the foundation disseminates important updates and information to a wider audience, ensuring that their initiatives have a broader impact.
Through its technological capabilities, Econet provides HigherLife Foundation with valuable data and tools that help the foundation to track the effectiveness of its programmes and make data-driven decisions to optimize interventions.
This collaboration also allows HigherLife Foundation Lesotho to utilize Econet’s communication channels, such as SMS, social media, and other digital platforms, to raise awareness about key issues like scholarship opportunities and community outreaches. This boosts the visibility of the foundation’s work and engages a larger audience in their initiatives.
Econet’s commitment to CSR aligns with HigherLife Foundation’s mission, enabling collaborative community projects that address pressing social issues. Together, we work hand-in-hand to sustain programmes that create long-term benefits for communities across Lesotho.
ETL’s focus on innovation helps the foundation incorporate cutting-edge technology into its programmes. For example, e-learning platforms, and other digital tools can be used to enhance education and service delivery, making them more accessible and efficient.
Are there other notable partnerships or supporters of the foundation’s work in Lesotho?
Yes, Higherlife Foundation in Lesotho benefits from several notable partnerships and supporters that enhance its ability to deliver impactful programs in education, health, and social welfare. Some of these key partnerships include:
Government of Lesotho: The foundation collaborates closely with the Government of Lesotho, particularly the Ministries of Education and training; Gender, Sports and Youth; and Social Development, to align its initiatives with national priorities. This partnership ensures that the foundation’s programmes are integrated into the broader public service delivery framework, allowing for more effective and sustainable outcomes.
UNICEF: The foundation collaborates with UNICEF to address issues related to child welfare, education, and health. This partnership helps in scaling up interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable children, particularly orphans.
Educational institutions: The foundation partners with local and international educational institutions to provide scholarships, mentorship, and capacity-building programs. These partnerships help in enhancing the quality of education and ensuring that students have access to opportunities that can transform their lives.
Other like-minded organizations: Higherlife Foundation partners with different organizations to engage communities in its initiatives. These organizations play a key role in outreach, mobilizing community members, and providing spiritual and moral support to the foundation’s beneficiaries.
These partnerships and supporters enable Higherlife Foundation to expand its reach, enhance the effectiveness of its programs, and create lasting positive change across the Mountain Kingdom.
What impact has the HigherLife Foundation had in Lesotho?
HigherLife Foundation Lesotho has made a significant impact in Lesotho since 2011 with investments of over M100 million through its programmes in education, health, and social welfare. As noted earlier, HigherLife Foundation Lesotho has provided scholarships to 1616 Basotho children, particularly orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs), enabling them to access quality education. This support includes not only tuition fees, but also mentorship programmes and life skills training, which have empowered many young people to pursue higher education and professional careers.
The foundation has also invested in teacher training and capacity-building initiatives to improve the quality of education in Lesotho. By enhancing the skills and knowledge of educators, the foundation has contributed to better learning outcomes for students.
We have also played a crucial role in supporting OVCs in Lesotho, providing them with education, healthcare, and psychosocial support. This has helped many children overcome the challenges associated with losing their parents or living in difficult circumstances, giving them a better chance at a successful future.
The foundation’s ability to forge strong partnerships with the government, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector has amplified its impact in Lesotho. These collaborations have enabled us to leverage resources, share expertise, and implement large-scale programs that address the country’s most pressing challenges.
Overall, HigherLife Foundation Lesotho has made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals and communities in Lesotho, particularly the most vulnerable. Its holistic approach to development has not only addressed immediate needs but also created opportunities for lasting positive change.
Can you provide examples of success stories or outcomes from their programmes?
Certainly! One notable success story involves a young orphan who, after losing both parents to HIV/AIDS, faced the possibility of dropping out of school. Through our scholarship, the student was able to complete high school and eventually attend university, where they graduated with honours. Today, this individual is a successful professional, giving back to their community by mentoring other vulnerable children and advocating for education.
Additionally, we also have a young girl from a rural area, who had limited access to education, received a scholarship from HigherLife Foundation Lesotho. This support enabled her to attend a top high school in the capital, Maseru. With the foundation’s mentorship and life skills training, she excelled academically and went on to pursue a degree in Law. She now works for Econet Telecom Lesotho, serving as a role model for other girls in her community.
We also have a young boy, orphaned at an early age, was taken in by HigherLife Foundation Lesotho. He received not only education but also psychosocial support and healthcare. With the foundation’s help, he excelled in school and was able to attend college in the United States of America on a full scholarship.
