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The Sussexes

Prince Harry shares thoughts and photos from recent trip to Lesotho

<![CDATA[Prince Harry recently returned from his five-day trip to Lesotho, where he viewed the construction and development of Sentebale's new Mamohato Children's Centre.
The new facility will add four-fold the number of at risk children Sentebale can assist through healthcare and education. Using the existing Camp Mamohato programme, the Centre will afford emotional and psychological support to children living with HIV.
During the visit Prince Harry joined a number of workshops and activities that help children with HIV foster more confidence and self-reliance and tackle the stigma surrounding them.
Harry has shared some personal thoughts and photos from a recent tour to Lesotho in support of his charity Sentebale and released a small collection of his own images from the visit and has given personal captions to a wider selection of photos.
Below are some of the photos from Harry’s trip, which include his thoughts above each photo. Truly a remarkable visit and quit an extraordinary Prince.

Thumbs up with Prince Harry and the head teacher, Me Mamonuku Mokfilikoane of Thuso Centre

“The playground and ramps in this photo were made by 30 members of the British Army. Blood, sweat and tears went into the project over two weeks. The whole place looks incredible, the children are all smiles. Thanks lads.”

Prince Harry swings young boy in photo taken by blind 3 year old at Phelisanong Children’s Home

“Wow, what a welcome we got! There were forty over-energetic children using us as climbing frames, water fights, and a lot of laughs. The boy flying is Lerato, a 3 year old who was abandoned at birth. The photo was taken by 3 year old Karabo who is blind. She heard the clicks, went to the camera and with a little bit of help on direction, shot this great photo.”

Prince Harry wears hats Christmas with orphans from Mants’ase Children’s Home

“Festive cheer! Despite it being 32 degrees, someone gave out Christmas hats and inevitably one found its way onto my head. All the children, orphaned for one reason or another, absolutely loved the hats and balloons. We even managed to squeeze a hat onto Prince Seeiso’s head! Again, so nice to see the place so well looked after.”

Prince Harry also travelled to the highlands of Mokhotlong to see the herd boys (young shepherds), who are part of Sentebale’s night school programme, offering basic education and life skills.
Together with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho (Sentebale’s co-founder), Harry took the opportunity to visit some of Sentebale’s community partners who support and educate orphans and children living with multiple disabilities, including the Thuso Centre, Pehlisanong Home, Touching Tiny Lives and Mant’sase orphanage.

Prince Harry dances in front of the herd boys, during a visit to see the new night school built by Sentebale.

“It was such a treat to be able to re-visit our finished herd boys night school in Mokhotlong. Since laying a couple of bricks 18 months ago, hundreds of herd boys have benefited from evening classes and a warm meal. We were greeted with typically amazing singing from about 40 herd boys, tucked away up in the mountains, miles away from anywhere. I danced with the Chief (Seeiso) who embarrassed himself. And then not to ruin any family traditions, we planted three peach trees!”

Volunteer at Camp Mamohato laughs at Prince Harry’s singing as they observe a workshop on adherence.

“A chance to see one of the camps in full swing. Normally when we visit Lesotho, it’s school time and therefore we always miss the Camp Mamohato. 44 children, from all over Lesotho gathered for a week of fun and learning about living with HIV. These are children who have never had the chance to talk about their illness, and who had no idea that they were one of so many in their age group. It was really emotional watching them interact with each other. Some really outgoing chatty kids, others slightly overwhelmed, but all with huge smiles. This confirmed to me again that what we’re doing is going to change thousands of children’s lives, and hopefully save a generation.”

Speaking of the opportunity to document the visit himself, Prince Harry said: “I have always enjoyed photography and the challenges that come with trying to capture the perfect shot, although privately I don’t take many photos. The best photos I have are in my head – I have some very special memories, mostly from Africa. But on this visit, I had the time and opportunity to be on the other side of the camera and take some photos in the stunning country of Lesotho for my charity Sentebale.”

Harry noted: “This confirmed to me again that what we’re doing is going to change thousands of children’s lives, and hopefully save a generation.” Indeed it will Prince Harry, indeed.
Featured Photo Credit: Invictus Games 2014]]>

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