LRCS ASSISTS 17 STUDENTS DURING CAREER EXPO OUTREACH

LRCS ASSISTS 17 STUDENTS DURING CAREER EXPO OUTREACH

by | Feb 19, 2026 | Latest

The Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) provided immediate assistance to 17 students during Career Expo outreach activities conducted for 10 districts. Of these, 16 learners were treated after fainting, while one student received support for an asthma-related condition.

All cases were promptly attended to by the LRCS First Aid team on site, ensuring the safety and well-being of participants throughout the event.

According to Ms. Paballo Thatho, LRCS First Aid Officer, the majority of the fainting cases were linked to hunger and dehydration.

“Most of these students came from far places, and when asked, they indicated that they were hungry,” she explained.

Ms. Thatho advised teachers and students to ensure that learners eat on time and carry water bottles during such events to prevent fainting and other health complications associated with hunger and dehydration.

LRCS participated in the event by providing First Aid coverage while simultaneously promoting the spirit of volunteerism among young people. Through live demonstrations and interactive engagements, LRCS showcased essential First Aid skills and emphasized the importance of being prepared to respond effectively during emergencies.

Ms. Thatho further noted that the Career Expo provided an excellent platform to reach a large number of students with practical First Aid knowledge.

“The Career Expo has been a great channel to talk to students and demonstrate First Aid skills, enabling us to reach more young people who can respond correctly during emergencies,” she said.

She added that many learners expressed strong interest in acquiring First Aid skills, a need that LRCS stands ready to address through its training programmes.

Beyond First Aid, LRCS also used the platform to encourage youth participation in humanitarian work.

The LRCS National Society Development Coordinator, Ms. Lintle Mathosi, highlighted the value of volunteerism in building resilient communities. She emphasized that volunteering in a humanitarian organization brings peace of mind, knowing that one is giving hope to the hopeless and assisting those in need.

A total of about 184 schools participated in the Career Expo activities, reflecting the wide reach and impact of the initiative across districts.

Through its participation, LRCS seeks to leave a lasting impression on young people by clearly demonstrating what it means to be a volunteer and why volunteerism plays a critical role in building safer, stronger communities.

The Lesotho Red Cross Society remains committed to empowering youth, strengthening community resilience, and promoting a culture of preparedness and service throughout the country.

The first leg of the impactful Career Expo commenced in Mokhotlong District on Monday, 9 February 2026, marking an important step in empowering young people to make informed decisions about their future.

Organized by Mind Liberation Psychology Consultancy, the Career Expo brings together key service providers and higher learning institutions to engage directly with high school learners. The platform enables students to explore opportunities available beyond high school and equips them with knowledge to choose career paths aligned with their interests and aspirations.

Among the tertiary institutions present were National University of Lesotho (NUL), Botho University, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Lesotho College of Education, Wits University, University of the Free State, Other tertiary institutions.

The keynote address was delivered by Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso, whose presence underscored the importance of education and youth empowerment in national development.

LRCS STRENGTHENS FIRST AID FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES

LRCS STRENGTHENS FIRST AID FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES

by | Feb 10, 2026 | Latest, Uncategorised

The Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to building safer, more resilient communities through strengthened First Aid capacity. On 5th February 2026, LRCS officially launched the “First Aid for All: Saving Lives, Sustaining Impact in Lesotho” project, marking a significant step toward decentralizing lifesaving knowledge across the country.

Speaking at the launch, LRCS Secretary General Mr. Sechaba Mokhameleli emphasized that First Aid is not only a global priority but also the foundation of the Red Cross Movement. He highlighted LRCS’s dedication to increasing both the number and the impact of trained First Aiders, who will in turn be equipped to train others.

“Life-saving work cannot be carried out by only a few people,” he said, underscoring the importance of ensuring that First Aid knowledge reaches every district in Lesotho.

Through this initiative, 100 community-based volunteers, ten from each district, will be trained to serve as frontline responders within their communities. In addition, 20 participants (two per district) will undergo Training of Trainers to ensure that First Aid knowledge and skills are sustained and continuously passed on at community level.

Mr. Mokhameleli also stressed the importance of integrating First Aid training with transport licensing, noting that many injuries occur as a result of road accidents.

“Too often, accident victims are rushed to health facilities while still alive, but due to a lack of basic First Aid knowledge, lives are lost along the way,” he said.

He further explained that the initiative comes at a time when LRCS has entered into several strategic partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding with key sectors. These include a five-year MoU signed in June 2025 with the Lesotho Defense Force to strengthen national emergency and disaster response, collaboration with the Ministry of Education to integrate First Aid training into schools, and growing interest from the Ministry of Health to train Village Health Workers. LRCS has also submitted a proposal to the Government of Lesotho to ensure that all vehicle users receive First Aid training, reinforcing the organization’s vision of safer, more resilient communities.

The launch event was attended by representatives from the Lesotho Defense Force, Lesotho Correctional Services, Lesotho Mounted Police Services, Disaster Management Authority, and National Security Services, among others reflecting strong national support for the initiative.

Stakeholders echoed the importance of the program. Ms. Ts’epang Maama, Stakeholder Manager at the Disaster Management Authority (DMA), emphasized that First Aid should be a universal skill across workplaces. “An emergency is not planned, it can happen anywhere at any time, and there would be a need to save lives. Saving lives is a responsibility of everyone,” she said.

Similarly, Mr. Muso Lehlokoa, Fire Chief, highlighted the vulnerability of certain communities. He explained that some villages are more prone to accidents, making it essential to train local residents in First Aid so they can respond effectively.

“There is a need to train members of those communities on First Aid to allow them to save lives by offering good First Aid rather than making matters worse.,” he noted.

With these efforts, LRCS continues to prioritize First Aid as the difference between life and death, ensuring that communities across Lesotho are better prepared to respond to emergencies and save lives. The project is supported by the Turkish Red Crescent to the tune of 450,000 Maloti, further strengthening its impact and sustainability.