By Kefiloe Kajane
Local non-profit organisation Healing Lesotho is working with its team of experts to advocate for counselling services for Basotho to find healing from their past, with the ultimate goal of making Lesotho a peaceful country.
The organisation was formed by an anonymous founder who is a Mosotho living abroad.
Lesotho Healing project manager Mothepa Ndumo, says her passion for legacy drove her to be part of the project.
Ndumo says it is important for people from all walks of life to find healing so that they can leave a healthy legacy for the next generation.
She noted that Basotho have a toxic legacy that was left by culture, politics and many other things that left many people angry.
To this effect, Healing Lesotho held a workshop this week with different stakeholders to discuss what needs to be healed from and how the process will benefit the nation.
The workshop brought together chiefs, psychologists, human trafficking activists, clinical psychologists, social workers, youth leaders, human rights lawyers and other people who are considered helpful in the process of healing.
The main thrust of the workshop was what needs to be healed from, and many speakers concurred that people seem to be angry from decisions that were made before them, especially political decisions.
Clinical psychologist Bosao Monyamane-Moyo said healing is important in Lesotho when one looks at the different types and levels of trauma that people go through. She said even research shows high rates of gender-based violence and, when one looks at such things, it shows that people are wounded and when the behavior of a wounded person affects those around them and their relationships, it suggests a need for healing.
“A healed person is able to make sound decisions. People who are hurt also hurt other people, so it is important for people to find healing for them to not hurt other people.
“We are at a place right now where intervention is needed as a country. Many stakeholders do try to intervene with counselling and other methods, but there are many people who still harbor hurt, hence we need to work hard on healing,” she said.
Ndumo said they hope to restore the peace that Lesotho once had, something that can be achieved when people heal, which is also vital for the next generation.
