Comments for Lesotho

Comment on Things That Make Me Mad by thabo.taleng

thabo.taleng — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:43:10 +0000

Would like to agree with the author about the harsh reality in my beloved Lesotho - maldaministration. We do have well-read people who can take this country far but are not able to do that because of the incompetent senior government officials who can’t set their priorities straight! The government hospital issue is a sore point indeed. These greedy government officials don’t care coz they send their loved ones to private hospitals in SA! An ordinary Mosotho can’t afford to do that, not with a monthly salary of less than M1000.00.

It is not all doom and gloom though - perhaps the author should have also shown the pictures of Basotho and businesses in Maseru and other smaller towns; the perception created here is that what you see in the pictures is indeed “typical homes and stores in Lesotho”…

Comment on Traditional Medicine by Sophie

Sophie — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:01:32 +0000

I have spoken to the doctors about this - and it seems that many of the traditional healers are seeing that ARVs are working. ARVs are offered for free in Lesotho. However, I have heard of some instances where traditional healers have tried to sell ARVs as being traditional medicine.

The Baylor clinic here had an event where all the traditional healers of Lesotho were invited to see what services Baylor had to offer and what medicines and technology are available to fight HIV. The doctors tried to be very respectful and told the healers that both the doctors and healers each had their own area of expertise. I heard that this event seemed to go well. However, there are barriers to overcome in terms of some common beliefs. For instance, some healers have the strong belief that women absolutely should not be given birth control that prevents periods because women need to be cleansed of impurities in the body.

Comment on Traditional Medicine by Mark Lewis

Mark Lewis — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 03:30:27 +0000

Interesting stuff Sophie…I was wondering to what extent you find resistance to change with the medical technology you’re making available. Are you finding any of these traditional medicine providers opposed to you being there?

Mark Lewis
Dallas

Comment on Day 3 at SOS: Boy and Girl Discussion Groups by Mark Lewis

Mark Lewis — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:28:57 +0000

WOW! Sophie this is very cool stuff. I’m scrambling to catch up on your exploits since our last email conversations because I’ve been snowed under and feverishly working on some stuff we’re setting up here in Dallas. It’s really amazing to hear some of the children’s questions. I’m curious about their parents though…do any of them attend these classes? I know there’s a tremendous need for information/education where you are about HIV & AIDS. It sounds like you really have an amazing opportunity to make a difference there. What a mind blower!

It’s clear you’re enjoying what you’re doing from the way you’re presenting it. I was wondering what impact it’s had on you personally, even in just a short time?

Mark Lewis
Strategic Business Intelligence Group
Dallas TX; USA

Comment on A Bit of Unrest in Lesotho by jjpool

jjpool — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:49:34 +0000

Sophie, If you haven’t already met Tim Vennell of MFA, look him up. He can give you some more background on why the Chinese are disliked in Lesotho. He and his wife host a movie night on Saturday nights for expats. Lots of the BIPAI doctors go. Tell him Smiley and Jessica sent you! Jessica