After a drive of about six hours and a few minutes of sleep, we arrived at Malealea Lodge in the evening, accompanied by a former volunteer. The fresh mountain air quickly made us tired, so our first few days were quiet and relaxed.
During this initial phase we were introduced to the MDT team and got an insight into its different areas of work, including the clinic, the support group, the community centre and the farmers’ meetings. At first I was a little nervous, but at the same time relieved at how warmly we were welcomed.
We both settled in surprisingly quickly and used the first days to explore the area. Trips to Thaba Bosiu (“Mountain of Night”) and to the Bushmen paintings stand out in particular – they gave us a first impression of Lesotho’s landscape and history.
In the second week there were more trips, including to Thaba-Tseka and Katse Dam. Our main goal during this time was to find our way around our new surroundings, which we managed without major difficulties. An unexpected challenge came up with our visa applications, though: because nobody had told us beforehand that a police clearance certificate was required, the process was delayed considerably. In the end we even had to go and see the secretary of the health department in person to make progress. The situation was frustrating at times, but it showed us how important patience is in this country.
From the third week on, the actual work finally began. We were assigned to different areas. I was allowed to work at the farmers’ meetings and on the teaching farm. The language barrier was an additional challenge. In the valley many people speak only Sesotho, and not everyone speaks English.
Especially at the beginning this made communication difficult, particularly in conversations with villagers or during the farmers’ meetings. I often had to rely on colleagues to translate. At the same time it was encouraging to see how much gestures and friendliness can make up for. I have started learning simple Sesotho words and phrases, which already help in everyday life and are well received.
Around the same time we also moved into our own small house, with a bedroom and a kitchen. Its condition took some getting used to at first. The floor was damaged vinyl with silverfish living underneath, the cardboard ceiling had not been fitted yet, and there was no sink at all. The pit latrine and washing in a plastic tub were new to me too. At first I found this challenging, but after a few days it became routine.
In the fourth week we decided to also help out at the community centre, especially with the computers there. They were in very poor condition, and many could hardly be used any more. I tried to repair them, unfortunately without much success. At the same time we continued with our visa applications, which turned out to be extremely tedious because of the error-prone online platform. After several attempts we finally managed to complete them, which was a great relief.
Financially we are doing well by now. Once you know where to shop locally, prices are surprisingly low. We cook regularly and with plenty of variety, which gives us both a sense of everyday life.
I am particularly impressed by the warm hospitality of the people here in the valley. The residents are clearly happy that we are here and take every opportunity to chat. That often makes me feel welcome and appreciated. Tsotang, a colleague from the MDT, has already taken us on many hikes and drives. We often had to stop because so many people were curious about us and wanted to talk to us. This openness was unfamiliar to me at first, but I have learned to appreciate it.
