Raising Informed, Empowered & Protected Children: Youth Awareness Outreach in Rothe, Lesotho

By: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, World Vision Lesotho

In a small classroom at Thuto ke Lesedi High School, powerful conversations took place; ones that could change the future of Lesotho's children. World Vision International Lesotho, through the Child Protection and Nutrition Education outreaches, reached 181 boys and girls with a transformative Child Protection and Nutrition Education Campaign, equipping them with critical knowledge to protect their health, wellbeing, and rights.

Why This Outreach Matters

Children and youth across Lesotho continue to face threats such as sexual exploitation, child labour, early pregnancy, and malnutrition; often without access to the information or support they need to navigate these challenges. This outreach is part of a broader effort to ensure that every child is informed, protected, and empowered to make healthy, life-affirming choices. “Children must not only be told they are valuable; they must be shown their value through information, care, and protection,” said ‘Mankase Mothakathi, World Vision, Safeguarding & Advocacy Officer at the event.

“Children must not only be told they are valuable; they must be shown their value through information, care, and protection,” - 'Mankase Mothakathi

What Children Learned

From sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) to the importance of iron-rich nutrition, children participated in interactive sessions led by community health workers, and District Child Protection Teams (DCPT). These sessions helped them understand:

• Their rights and responsibilities under the Child Protection and Welfare Act of 2011

• How to identify and report abuse, including through 116 (Child Helpline) or 112 (Police Hotline)

• How nutrition fuels learning and development, with an emphasis on iron-rich foods

• The power of dignity, discipline, and dreaming big, as tools for avoiding risky behaviours and focusing on their future

"Remember who you are, created in the image of God," encouraged DCPT Member Ts’epo Hlotho, "You don’t need to engage in sexual activity at your tender age to prove your worth. Your value lies in your dignity, discipline, and purpose."

"Remember who you are, created in the image of God," - Ts'epo Hlotho

Nurse Moeletsi Mosehle played a pivotal role in guiding the children through sensitive yet essential conversations around personal responsibility, safety, and self-respect. In his session, he emphasized that knowing your rights is only the beginning and that living them out requires responsibility, respect, and informed choices.

He walked learners through real-life scenarios where children may find themselves vulnerable, including peer pressure, risky relationships, or misinformation about their bodies and health. Through open dialogue and participatory discussions, Nurse Mosehle helped demystify complex topics like consent, bodily autonomy, and respectful relationships. “You have the right to say no. You have the right to ask questions. And you have the right to be safe,” she told the students. “But you also have a responsibility to respect yourself and others, to stay informed, and to speak out when something doesn’t feel right.”

“You have the right to say no. You have the right to ask questions. And you have the right to be safe,” - Mosehle

His session empowered students to recognize unsafe situations and equipped them with practical steps for seeking help, accessing health services, and making choices that protect their dignity and future. With compassion and clarity, he reminded them that their voice matters and that their best defense is knowledge.

Voices that Inspire

Children didn’t just attend; they engaged, absorbed, and spoke from the heart. Kananelo shared how the session helped her understand the importance of self-respect and believing in her own strengths, especially within the school environment. For Napo, the message on nutrition hit home; he now understands how eating iron-rich foods supports their health and helps prevent conditions like anemia, especially for adolescent girls.

“World Vision taught me that I must respect myself and believe in my strengths, even at school,” - Kananelo

Meanwhile, John walked away with a new understanding of the law: relationships between adults and children are not just inappropriate; they are illegal. More importantly, he now knows exactly what to do if he or someone else is being exploited: call 116 or 112, or report to a trusted adult like a teacher or chief.

“If someone above 18 dates a child, that’s a crime. Now I know I can report it to 116, 112, or tell my teacher or chief,” - John

These powerful reflections show us what happens when we give children the knowledge and the platform to speak: they rise, they share, and they lead. And that’s how real change begins; through informed voices shaping safer, stronger communities.

Our Ongoing Commitment: The ENOUGH Campaign

This outreach in Rothe is part of World Vision’s ENOUGH Campaign; a movement to end child hunger and malnutrition across Lesotho. It calls for integrated action across health, nutrition, education, and child protection to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Our goal is simple: No child should suffer from hunger, be left unprotected, or go unheard. As we continue this journey, we invite families, schools, churches, government, and partners to join hands in building a future where every child is valued, protected, and nourished.

 If you or a child you know is facing abuse or exploitation, call 116 or 112 today.
📣Let’s protect childhood. Together!