More Than Warmth: How Winter Clothes Restored Confidence and Dignity for Maletsepileng’s Daughters

Maletsepileng and her daughters proudly wearing their gifts of winter clothes, warm, confident, and full of joy.

Lerato Brown

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

By: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, Lesotho

The chill of Lesotho’s winters often brings more than icy winds and snow; it brings hardship for children without proper clothing. For ‘Maletsepileng’s daughters, shivering through school days in thin, worn-out garments meant more than physical discomfort. It chipped away at their confidence, made them stand out among peers, and limited their ability to fully engage in learning. But when World Vision, through its Gift-In-Kind (GIK) programme, delivered warm winter clothes to their family, the change went far beyond comfort. With sweaters, jackets, and dresses came dignity, confidence, and a renewed sense of belonging.

For ‘Maletsepileng, a single mother of ten surviving on odd jobs, providing clothing was an annual challenge she often could not meet. “I usually try to buy one item each during Christmas, but even that doesn’t happen every year,” she says quietly. “Last December, I couldn’t buy them anything at all.” By winter 2025, her daughters were wearing thin, torn clothing that offered little protection from the cold. At home, they wrapped themselves in blankets, while school uniforms doubled as daily wear. “They were always sick with colds,” Maletsepileng explains, “but there was nothing I could do except keep them home so they could stay wrapped in blankets.”

'Maseabata in her school uniform, which she relied on to stay warm during cold winters before receiving new winter clothes.

“Last winter, I didn’t have proper clothes, I always looked forward to school because my uniform kept me warm." - 'Maseabata, 17 years

The physical discomfort was only one part of the struggle. Nights spent shivering under thin blankets, mornings chilled to the bone, and constant colds and flu made daily life a battle. But the emotional toll was just as severe. Without proper clothing, the girls felt out of place among their peers, invisible, and insecure.

“Last winter, I didn’t have proper clothes,” recalls 17-year-old Maseabata. “I always looked forward to school because my uniform kept me warm. But I felt so insecure when I was with my friends because they had nice clothes and I had nothing. I wanted to be like them, but instead I felt like I was less of a person.” Her sister Poloko, 18, adds, “Before I received the clothes, I was not confident at all. I used to avoid going out with friends because I felt embarrassed about how I looked.”

This lack of proper clothing also affected their education. When the cold made them sick, they missed school for days at a time. For ‘Maletsepileng, the worry that her children were falling behind in class compounded her struggles to provide for them.

“Before I received the clothes, I was not confident at all. I used to avoid going out with friends because I felt embarrassed about how I looked.” - Poloko, 18 years

In June 2025, World Vision’s Gift-In-Kind programme delivered winter clothes to the family, warm sweaters, jackets, tracksuits, dresses, and shirts. The impact was immediate and profound. The girls could step outside without fear of the cold, but more importantly, they could step into the world with confidence and pride.

Maretsepileng’s daughters wearing their new winter clothes radiating joy, pride, and warmth.

“Since World Vision gave us clothes this winter, I have felt warm and confident,” says 17-year-old Mpai. “My favourite is the black sweater; it’s so warm, and I love how I look in it. I always wear it when I visit my friends because they tell me how ‘cool’ I look.”

“Since World Vision gave us clothes this winter, I have felt warm and confident,” - Mpai, 17 years

Mpai wearing her sweater and tracksuit, beaming with joy and confidence to proudly step out into the world.

For 'Mafusi, the excitement was unforgettable: “When I wore my new clothes for the first time, I couldn’t stop looking at myself. I kept walking up and down outside so that my friends could see me. They all loved my sweater and asked where I got it.

A portrait of Mafusi in her red sweater, radiating confidence and pride in her new look.

” Poloko beams: “My favourite is the grey tracksuit. It’s , great quality, and so trendy. I always wished I had one. Now that I do, I feel confident. We’ve never had fashion like this before, and now we feel like trendsetters because we are the only ones with such cool clothes.”

Poloko in her two-piece check pants, proud of their quality and durability; her favorite outfit that makes her feel stylish and confident.

The transformation went beyond warmth. What once made the girls feel small and excluded now gave them pride, belonging, and confidence to engage with peers and their community. They attended school regularly, played freely with friends, and faced winter’s chill with resilience and joy.

For ‘Maletsepileng, the relief and pride were immense. “This winter was different,” she says with a smile. “My children were warm, happy, and confident. The clothes brought us dignity, and I could see their joy every time they went outside.”

'Maseabata in her winter clothes; no longer relying on her school uniform or blankets to keep warm, but wrapped in comfort and confidence.

More than just garments, these clothes restored confidence, dignity, and hope. For a family long accustomed to winters of silent struggle, World Vision’s Gift-In-Kind programme turned 2025 into a season of transformation. Wrapped in warmth, their daughters now step into the world with courage, pride, and renewed joy.