Lesotho

Today we began our second week here in Ramabanta. We returned to the village outside our compound to build a community center. I was extremely excited to return to the village because we had formed such close bonds with these kids in just one short week and I knew they’d all be so excited to spend the day watching us work and playing. After our lunch break a few of us experienced something very emotional and moving, we got to see the meals prepared in the soup kitchen for the kids and observe how they distribute the meals. For those who don’t know, the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative at Wittenberg hosts packs to make meals that are sent out all over Lesotho. The village we work at is one place that receives those meals and with the help of LNI, they can now serve 60 kids rather than just the 20 kids they were able to serve before. So, seeing the meals we pack and box up at school, being prepared and eaten in person just brings everything full circle. Most of the kids they serve are orphans, and a lot experience troubled home lives. Just knowing that, you realize how important going to the packs is, and how you truly are making a difference with every meal packed. It is also a very humbling experience that shows how I can take one hour out of my day to pack these meals, and we all have enough time in the day to do a little good. 

With love, 

Alex (p.s happy belated bday dad!!! love you!)

We also spent our day at the community center. My (Destiny’s) experience watching the kids receive the meals was very emotional. As someone who has spent two years in LNI and held a position in the organization, this moment was something I had looked forward to for a long time. As the kids lined up, washed their hands, and said their prayer, I was giddy with excitement. In moments, I was in tears. As those kids walked up one by one, I began to see the impact this organization has made. It was a truly beautiful moment to see all of our hard work become something tangible, especially for kids with whom we have made so many connections. For the first time in my life, I felt I had made a real difference in the world. I could not be more proud of how much work we have done as LNI, and as students on this trip. Meanwhile, there was also work being done on the community center, which will service the same kids.  This is where I spent most of my (Rebecca’s) day mixing mortar and laying bricks.  As an alum of both Wittenberg and the Lesotho trip, it has been wonderful to reconnect with the Basotho while also making new connections among the students at Wittenberg. During the day, we worked on the foundation of the community center with the aide and support of the Basotho workers.  By the end of the day, we were proud to step back and look at the progress we made, knowing that the center is one day closer to serving those around us.  At the end of the day, we were led back to the compound by giggling and playful children, who we were thankful to know would go to sleep with a full belly.

Sending our love, 

Destiny and Rebecca

(ps, Happy early birthday Dad!! Love, Rebecca)