2024 Projects
Community Development Projects
In 2024 FOL continued to support community based projects in Lesotho.
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
FOL was very fortunate to be able to again partner with the –Rotary Clubs of Mantsopa and Maseru to reach out to principals across Lesotho and help identify students for the scholarships. TAP funds were also sent to Monica Letsoha at the Molete Foundation for additional scholarships. A total of $5,540 was distributed to pay 22 student’s high school fees.
Sponsorship to Zimbabwe Library Association’s (ZIMLA) 57th annual conference
$1,000 was donated to sponsor Mme Monica Letsoha to attend the ZIMLA library conference. This conference built capacity around literacy and shared resources for Southern Africa library projects.
Wittenburg University Lesotho Trip
FOL donated and distributed funds totaling $3,500 to support Wittenburg University’s student trip to Lesotho. This trip is led by Dr. Scott Rosenberg and took 30 students to Lesotho. These funds were utilized for project expenses associated with the trip. Members can read about the projects these students accomplished on their ‘Lesotho trip blog’ available here: https://www.wittenberg.edu/blogs/lesotho
Teboho’s Bike Shop & Future Stars Facility Upgrades FOL donated
FOL donated and distributed funds totaling $3,500 to support advancing the facilities of the bike shop’s youth program. These funds were utilized to build out the library, purchase additional water tanks, and advance sanitation on the property. The mission of Future Stars and Teboho’s Bike Shop is to introduce kids in Maseru to cycling, create an enjoyable and safe space for young minds to flourish, while providing them opportunities to excel in school and in the community. The bike shop teaches children in Maseru and remote areas to ride and service their bicycles, creates a safe environment to nurture life skills and form friendships through cycling.
Menoaneng Female Youth Organization Piggery
Sixty scholarships to help High School students in Lesotho through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) were awarded in the past year. Funding TAP was a challenge since there were no Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Lesotho since 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. FOL was very fortunate to be able to partner with the Rotary Clubs of Maloti, Matsopa, and Maseru to reach out to principals across Lesotho and help identify students for the scholarships. TAP funds were also sent to Monica Letsoha at the Molete Foundation for additional scholarships. The success of the TAP program has largely been due to the generous contributions from the Taipei American School each year as well as from members and friends. Since its inception in 1992, FOL has sent over $200,000 to Lesotho to support TAP. TAP has been FOL’s longest standing and most successful program and is now entering its fourth decade.
Makhobalo High School Greenhouse Project
FOL donated $2,500 to Makhobalo High School to fund the building of a greenhouse to provide organically grown food to their school and to build student knowledge around gardening practices. Makhobalo High School is partnering with Sunrise Agri Farms to construct the greenhouses.