Welcoming Korean Volunteers to Lesotho During the 10th Anniversary of International Year of Volunteers

In November 1997, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers in recognition of the valuable contribution and potential for volunteers to support economic and social development. Thus 2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Volunteer (IYV +10), the celebration of which is primarily about acknowledging value of volunteerism for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ensuring volunteer opportunities for diverse people, exchanging experiences and promoting inclusive and representative volunteerism.

One of the most common forms of volunteerism in Lesotho is formal international volunteerism, that which happens when people come from outside the country to volunteer in Lesotho for a period of time. This form of volunteerism provides participants with opportunities to learn about Basotho culture, traditions and ways of life (and in so doing learn more about their own cultural backgrounds). The actual work that is carried out can vary widely but should always be of benefit to others, for example; environmental work; activities with children, people with disabilities, or older people; cultural, creative or arts activities; health projects.  The Bridge Program, which is collaboration between the Korean government and UNESCO Commission in Lesotho, is an international volunteerism program providing such an opportunity for Korean nationals. 

Head of the Korean Volunteer Team;  Education Programme Coordinator Ms. Palesa Monts'i  and Secretary General Ms. ‘Mapaseka Kolotsane who officiated the affair.

This year, 2011, The Lesotho Work Camps Association is the NGO that was selected to host of these volunteers of the Bridge program.  On June 29, 2011 Lesotho Commission for UNESCO helped LWA welcome eleven international volunteers from Chonangham University in Korea who will set up a work camp in Liphiring, Mohale’s Hoek where they will be embedded in the community, volunteering to address some of that particular community’s felt needs.  In particular, they are looking at environmental issues such as tree planting, for which purpose The Ministry of Forestry has furnished LWA with about two hundred trees as well as construction of roads.

Initially, three Korean volunteers arrived in Lesotho to conduct needs assessment in the communities of Mphatloane in Butha-Buthe as well as Liphiring.  This helped set the foundation for these and other volunteers that will come into the country.   Those initial volunteers have, since their arrival in Lesotho in 2010, facilitated the opening of a community library in Mphatloane to address issues of literacy and education, as well as and a map of Liphiring which was before unavailable.  These are great achievements achieved in only half of the two years which will make up their total mission time in Lesotho. 

On this Korea/Lesotho government-civil society initiative, local LWA volunteers will be working with the international volunteers for the duration of their mission with the hope to meet three overall objectives outlined in their expectations of this mission, which are related to different MDGs:

1. Networking and cultural exchange with the aim of development

2. Make an impact in the areas of education, environment and children's    welfare

3. Documentation of Lesotho

For more information on IYV +10, view the IYV +10 Facebook page by following the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cause/168642116531520#!/pages/Cause/168642116531520?sk=info

Contact: Refiloe Letokoto, IYV +10 Coordinator, UNDP/UNV