Steph introduces us to Rapelang

While I was teaching the children at Rachel’s Home, the children began to call me Madame because I held professional status. I soon learned the power that a name holds in Lesotho.

Each Sesotho name holds meaning as many North American names do. The difference in Lesotho is that when each child told me the meaning of their name, it was as if they were displaying a badge of honour.

For example, Rapelang, a boy wise beyond his years, told me his name meant “prayer”. He placed his hand together in prayer position as he said this.

When school was over for the day, and I would play with the children they called me Sister Steph, because my status was gone. One day, I asked the children what would my Sesotho name be? Rapelang looked at me and without hesitation answered, “Palesa; it means flower.”

I nearly wept in front of them. From that moment on I was Sister Palesa.

Steph introduces us to Rapelang

While I was teaching the children at Rachel’s Home, the children began to call me Madame because I held professional status. I soon learned the power that a name holds in Lesotho.

Each Sesotho name holds meaning as many North American names do. The difference in Lesotho is that when each child told me the meaning of their name, it was as if they were displaying a badge of honour.

For example, Rapelang, a boy wise beyond his years, told me his name meant ‘prayer’. He placed his hand together in prayer position as he said this. 

When school was over for the day, and I would play with the children they called me Sister Steph, because my status was gone. One day, I asked the children what would my Sesotho name be? Rapelang looked at me and without hesitation answered, “Palesa; it means flower.”

I nearly wept in front of them. From that moment on I was Sister Palesa.

The Penny Project

After School

This article was originally posted November 5, 2009. The story it tells serve as a reminder to all of us who still have our fathers around that we are so fortunate to be able to tell them how much we truly love them.

One afternoon at Rachel’s Home classes had been let out for the day, and I found myself surrounded by children. We were seated in a circle sharing stories. The children asked me about my family. I described my home and family, and showed pictures of my family I had brought with me.

The children carefully passed the pictures around the circle, while asking questions about the members of my family, and cheering when they found my face in a photo, shouting, “There’s you!” When my family’s Christmas photo reached Thuso, a clever, 7 year old boy he asked, “Your father is not dead?” I answered, “No, my father is not dead.” Thuso looked confused and shocked.

I realized every child sitting in the circle had lost their father, I was the minority in the group; I had a father.

The Penny Project

But, one particular child does stand-out for me and this is my story.

We took 27 bags of new clothes with us to distribute to the children. Each child received a complete outfit: shoes, pants, shirt, sweater (It does snow in Lesotho in Winter), touque and scarf. We distributed the clothing one child at a time in order to make sure that each child got one-on-one attention.

About half-way through, Yssie noticed that I hadn’t taken a child down the line to get new clothing. Now, I’m not very good with kids and there was plenty of other work to be done, so I had figured, leave it the pros; but, Yssie decided that I should.

You don’t argue with Yssie, so off I went in search of a child named “Kaebetsoe”. It turned out that Kaebetsoe was a little girl about 7 years old. She took my hand and I led her back to our little distribution area.

We fitted her with new shoes and began to take her down the line to receive her new clothes. At the first bag, we held up a few t-shirts until we found a pair that were about her size. We then offered her a choice. She had this big smile on her face; but, she just stood there in silence. She didn’t seem to understand the idea that she was actually being offered a choice. Through the entire process of selecting new clothes, she remained silent. It was all just too overwhelming for her.

Kaebetsoe, like the other children, didn’t pass judgement on anything she received. She was happy just to receive. But, it wasn’t just the gifts that the kids seemed to cherish, it was that one on one attention. They are never the center of attention at the orphanage. There are 43 children and just 3 adults.

To a child like Kaebetsoe, all that attention from what must have seemed like an army  of aliens from another world, must have been quite a shock. We were, of course, an army. There were 27 of us; and we were aliens. Our world is very different from their world. But, when we reach out to touch the lives of others; when we step outside our world to help a group of orphans halfway around the world, we find that they touch our lives too.

I remember Kaebetsoe and I remember Dipou. I remember all of my new friends in Maputsoe. They changed my life and the lives of my friends on the team, just as surely as and probably more powerfully than we could possibly change their lives.

This is how we say thank-you. We say thank-you by pushing on and continuing our efforts to improve their lives.

One child that took a piece of my heart is Boney.  He is almost a young man in body, but in mind he is at probably at pre-school level.

God alone knows how this beautiful soul came to be an orphan at Rachel’s Home.  He captured my attention the first day because of his grin from ear to ear.  I could tell he was different from the other children because he either couldn’t speak English, or did not want to communicate verbally.  All the other children from 5 years and up were very fluent in English.

Boney always seemed to be at least one step behind all the other orphans, but didn’t seem to mind.  He knew he was loved, and these strangers that had come to his home posed no threat.  Every day, as we arrived, he would seek me out and lay his very large, gentle hand on my shoulder.  I think that was his way of choosing me to be his friend.

I realised just how far behind in school he was when Jane noticed him in the Grade 2 class.  He was twelve and the other classmates were seven.  As they were writing their letters he held up a paper to show her with a huge smile on his face.  He was obviously proud of his accomplishment; however, when Jane looked at the paper it was full of scribbles.  To him, he had done what all the other students were doing and I don’t know if he realised that he was behind them.

My one thought of Boney now, is, what if he were in Canada?  Would he be able to have schooling that would accommodate him?  There is no way he will ever receive what he needs in Lesotho.  I also realise that to uproot him from everything he knows and loves would be cruel and that God has put him there for a reason.  Perhaps it is to teach us all a little compassion and tolerance.  Hopefully he will be healthy and happy in his future there.

I know I will never forget the power of that gentle hand on my shoulder and a grin that would melt even the coldest heart.  God bless you Boney.  You are one of my favourite memories of Lesotho.

The Sesotho word for “sister” is “ausi”. In Lesotho, people address each other by their role, followed by their name as a form of respect. Let me introduce you to Ausi Esther. She is the best sister these orphans could ask for.

Esther is one of Godwill and Hilda’s own children. She was 11 years old when we visited Rachel’s Home in 2009. From the moment we first got off the bus, she was very friendly and outgoing. Her smile was warm and contagious. I introduced her to my daughter Grace, who had just turned 10. Esther decided right there and then they would be friends. From then on, they seemed inseparable. Esther led Grace by the hand wherever they went. I would often see her braiding Grace’s hair or inviting Grace to join in games with the other children.

When Grace became ill one day, Esther was genuinely concerned about her friend and kept close tabs on her.

Esther has a beautiful singing voice too, and she often leads the children in song during worship and play. Joy radiates from her; her smile belies the conditions of the orphanage. Esther seems more mature than her years. Despite her youth, she has a tremendous amount of responsibility placed on her. In addition to helping with the household chores, Esther plays a huge role in nurturing the younger children. We never saw her complain though; it just seemed natural to her.

Esther gladly took on the role of “big sister” to Grace. She showed true Christian love in everything she did. Chores and games alike; she did them all with a cheerful heart. Despite the poverty, she displays a joy that only comes through a relationship with Christ. She was and still is an inspiration to me.

Even a year after our trip, the memory of her smile and her fun, easy-going nature continue to warm my heart.