Back to School for Herd Boy

From most of his childhood, 17-year-old Tohlang Thokoana followed cattle. He’s chased them across grassy fields, followed them up mountains and watched over them in the cold, rain and sun.

“When you are a herd boy you sometimes behave like those animals so that you can communicate with them properly,” Tohlang says. “This makes you forget how you should behave properly when you are among people.”

From the age of 10 to 17, Tohlang looked after his family’s herd of cattle.

“I dropped out of school to take care of animals because that was our only means of survival,” he says.

Tohlang became a herd boy right after both of his parents died. At that time, he was sent to live with his grandfather who had very little.

“When we lost our parents, I thought life was not fair,” says Tohlang who has two younger sisters ages 12 and 9.

An Opportunity 

In Lesotho, thousands of boys, some as young as five, are sent to look after cattle in remote parts of the country.

“My grandfather used to emphasis the need for me to work, in order to eat,” Tohlang says.

A few years ago, Tohlang got involved with a World Vision supported project. He was asked to represent herd boys on a children’s committee in his community.

“It was then that I began to realise how important it is for me to be among other children,” Tohlang says. “I also discovered that getting back to school was important for me to build a future for myself.” 

And then Tohlang made a decision.

“I approached our trainers in World Vision to talk to my grandfather,” he says.

Tohlang returned back to the classroom, but still his grandfather was skeptical.

“For him school was a waste of time,” Tohlang says.

One day, his grandfather decided enough was enough.

“I was supposed to fetch my luggage from school because my grandfather was adamant that I should get back to work (as a herd boy),” he says. 

World Vision intervened and assisted Tohlang and his sisters by helping them get a scholarship from Lesotho government. What’s more, the organisation also helped build Tohlang’s family a new home as the shack they were staying in was in a poor condition.

Tohlang is now back in school and completing Grade 8.

“When I complete my studies I want to be a child mentor. I have seen World Vision turn me into a person I am today. I want to do the same to other children who are in need of help.”

Continuing to grow

“I am happy with the progress he has made. He has even formed a musical group for which he is even the conductor,” says World Vision Lesotho’s child protection manager ’Maseisa Ntlama.

Tohlang was one of the active participants at the child protection learning lab held in July 2012. The event was attended by people from across Africa. He spoke eloquently on the dangers of life as a herd boy and many people spoke highly about his maturity.

“World Vision helped me realise that I am created by God and I have talents that can help me grow up to be a better person just like any other child who has parents,” Tohlang says.