By Annabelle Vanderwerf, RPCV (Lesotho, 2019-2020)
From September 2019 until the global Peace Corps evacuation in March 2020, I had the privilege of working as an education volunteer in a small Basotho village. From the moment I arrived, I was embraced by a community that welcomed me as one of their own. My host mom during training had a way of making every day an experience—whether it was waking me up by yelling “hlatsoa!” (“wash!”) or dancing with me to Christmas music in the kitchen. My permanent site host mom knew exactly how to lift my spirits, frying up makoenya (delicious Basotho fried dough) when I was homesick and laughing at my struggles to master handwashing clothes. Both of them joked about how Americans loved peanut butter and treated dogs and cats like family—concepts that seemed hilarious and foreign in my new home.
Three years after being evacuated, I knew I had to return, this time with my father by my side. I visited in September 2023 and I had Basotho taxi drivers and community members remember me from the short time I was living there and welcomed me and my father with open arms.
Stepping back into my village felt like no time had passed. It was an emotional homecoming, a reminder that even though my Peace Corps service was cut short, the connections I made were lasting. But I didn’t just want to visit—I wanted to give back.
During my return, I learned that the local elementary school’s water pump had broken. This pump wasn’t just a source of drinking water for the children; it also generated income for the school by providing water to the wider community. Without it, both the students and the school were struggling. That’s why I launched a GoFundMe campaign to help repair the pump and restore this vital resource.
Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and supporters, the first round of funds has already been sent, and the process of selecting a contractor is underway. But there’s still more work to be done. This project isn’t just about fixing a pump—it’s about ensuring that students have access to fresh water, that teachers can focus on education instead of water shortages, and that the school can continue to thrive.
Lesotho gave me so much, and this is just one small way I can give back. If you’d like to support this effort, please consider donating to the GoFundMe. Every contribution makes a difference.
🔗 GoFundMe
And if you want to see more about this journey, check out the documentary of our return to Lesotho. It captures the warmth of the Basotho people, the beauty of the Mountain Kingdom, and the lasting bonds that Peace Corps service creates.
📽️ Documentary of our return to Lesotho
