ENOUGH food for every child: How World Vision is protecting children like Karabo

By Reentseng Phephetho, Communications & Digital Officer

Poverty can rob children of their childhood and their rights far too early. In Thaba Phats’oa, within the Pitseng Area Development Programme, lives a family led by ‘Mateboho — a mother of four raising three boys and one girl, 13-year-old Karabo.

For ‘Mateboho, life has not been easy. Unemployed and caring for her children alone, she has struggled to meet even the most basic needs. Her husband left for South Africa five years ago in search of work and never returned. Since then, there has been no contact.

A moment in the life of ‘Mateboho and Karabo, seated in front of their home after Karabo returned from school

With no stable income, the family’s survival depended on occasional piece jobs. Meals were uncertain. Some nights, the children went to bed hungry.

“I remember a day I had to sleep without a meal. I was very hungry, but I had to understand when my mother told me there was nothing to eat,” Karabo recalls.

School became Karabo’s refuge. It was the one place where she was guaranteed a meal. But each afternoon brought anxiety.

Karabo after school, stressed and worried about whether there will be food at home 

“After school, I would become sad, knowing I might go home to no food at all. Weekends were the worst,” she says.

In 2025, desperation pushed ‘Mateboho to leave for South Africa in search of work. The journey brought no success. During her absence, Karabo was left to care for her younger siblings — a heavy responsibility for a child still attending school.

It was a painful period. Taking on parental duties at such a young age placed Karabo under immense strain and denied her the full experience of childhood. Within a few months, ‘Mateboho returned home.

Food insecurity, however, remained their daily struggle.

A Timely Intervention

In 2025, World Vision Lesotho, through its Livelihood and Resilience Technical Programme, partnered with local farmers to implement block farming. The initiative aimed to strengthen food security for the most vulnerable households.

Farmers planted maize and beans using inputs provided by World Vision. The harvest was successful.

World Vision supports 70 vulnerable families with maize meal and beans, helping ensure children have ENOUGH food to eat, learn, and thrive

In January 2026, the produce was shared among 70 vulnerable households in Pitseng ADP — including ‘Mateboho’s family.

“The day I heard World Vision would be giving us food, I thanked God for what He was doing for me and my family,” Karabo says with a smile. ‘Mateboho received 50kg of maize and 2kg of beans. For her, the support meant more than food — it meant relief, dignity, and renewed hope.

The maize was milled into meal, allowing her to feed her children consistently. “I felt like I was failing my children who looked up to me to provide daily meals,” ‘Mateboho shares. “This support made a real difference for my family.”

A New Beginning

Today, Karabo’s life looks different. She now eats before and after school. The fear of sleeping hungry has faded. “Since receiving the food, my mother has never told me there is no food. I always have my meals when it is time to eat,” Karabo says.

“Since receiving the food, my mother has never told me there is no food. I always have my meals when it is time to eat,” Karabo says.

Among the items received, one stood out most to her: “I was happy when I saw the 50kg maize because it was a huge quantity. We can eat it even when we have nothing else to go with it.”

Striving for ENOUGH

Through its ENOUGH Campaign, World Vision is committed to ensuring that every child has ENOUGH nutritious food to thrive. For children like Karabo, this commitment is life-changing. Freed from the constant worry of hunger, Karabo is focusing on her future.

“I want to work hard at school so I can help my family out of poverty. I want to be a nurse,” she says confidently.

Like many parents, ‘Mateboho holds tightly to hope. She dreams of seeing her children succeed and build the life they deserve. “I pray for my children to be successful so they can create the future they want.”

 Karabo’s story is a reminder that when families receive the right support at the right time, hunger can give way to hope, and dreams can begin to grow again.