Success Stories

“My name is Mphole Lephatsi, I am the chief of Ha-Mohlalefi in Kolo. I met Sesotho Media & Development in a community leaders’ workshop in Mafeteng. We had challenges like early child marriages, Sesotho Media & Development brought us law experts to explain marriage laws in detail. These included Police, National Security Services (NSS) and Law department. When I was growing up still at school, I knew that if a girl is older than about 11 or 12 years, she can be pregnant. Health Practitioners say that it is hard to assist young girls when they give birth, meaning these young girls are not supposed to get married.”

“I am Mohale Mokhantso from Quthing district, Ha Koali.i work as a policeman at Matelile in Mafeteng district. I work in the police, Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU). The CGPU supported film screenings discussions, for example the film “A Mother at 15”, watching this film, you will see that there is violation of children’s rights. For example, the film name “A mother at 15” shows, the child had sex at a young age yet Sexual Offence Act of 2003, clearly states that a child cannot give any sexual consent. Again, the Child Protection and Welfare Act of 2011 protect every child below the age of 18, it says every child must live in a safe environment under the care of parents/guardians.”

“I am Manyalleng Bulane, I am 39 years old from Kolo Ha-Petlane. My daughter and I did not have a good relationship, I believe this was exceedingly motivated by being a single mother. She took part in a facilitated screening which was at the chief’s place, when she came home from the screening, she shared with me all the important content of that screening and from that day we became best friends. On the matter of boyfriends, I make her aware that she does not only put her future at risk but inviting premature pregnancy also.”

“My name is Polao Francis Kubela, I live at Khorong, Ha Nchela at Berea District. My role is to mobilize the youth with Sesotho Media & Development to know their HIV and AIDS status and talk about social issues they encounter each day. The changes are drastic as a lot of people know their status, they test and most of the youth come for testing. The community is very satisfied with SM&D’s work as they have brought services close to them. The fact that they conduct testing and the fact that they have discussions with young people, the youth can communicate with their parents.”