T-Shirts and Sports Balls in Lesotho

It is very interesting to see the fashion of the Basotho here in Lesotho. In Maseru - the Capitol City - the attire is very much like any big American city. I find the Basotho to be very clean and fashion conscious. Hence while window-shopping and mall grazing, one sees very beautiful and well-dressed people.

In the countryside, however, one finds that most of the T-shirts and polo shirts worn by all have originated from an organization of charity. One finds World Food Bank shirts, UNICEF shirts, HIV/AIDS organizations shirts among others.

Furthermore, the entertainment of choice for young boys is soccer, and since they begin playing at a very young age, the boys - and some girls - are quite adept at the sport. Most of the girls enjoy playing a sport called netball which is similar to basketball without bouncing the ball. The difficulty is acquiring a quality ball that will last. I have queried the youngsters as to where they got the balls and the answer was once again that they were delivered along with food from the World Food Program. Occasionally one might see a ball fabricated out of a bunch of plastic bags, and children play so very roughly and often will all balls that they do not last very long, but the kids always seem to come up with something that meets their needs.

I have engaged in a few conversations with Peace Corps volunteers about the effectiveness of so many charity organizations in Lesotho. Wherever one goes, there are signs naming charities which have donated to the various causes throughout the country, be they buildings, bridges or other infrastructure.

This all begs the question of whether donating to these causes really helps the Basotho or hinders their lives for reaching their own sustainability. This is a country where most live from sustenance farming, although the resources are so very great to advance this country beyond the minimum lifestyles that most of them lead.