Sekamaneng – rise – Relationships Inspiring Social Enterprise, a newly formed social enterprise, co-founded by BOND Events is piloting an exciting programme in Lesotho called in loco combining architecture with entrepreneurship. rise will be hosting a ground breaking event on 3rd May 2018 at 10 a.m. at the new site of Gods Love Centre orphanage in Sekamaneng, Berea.
in loco provides fellowship opportunities to entrepreneurs in the construction and infrastructure sectors, including architects and engineers, to give them the practical knowledge and hands on experience to set up their businesses in those sectors, with a particular focus on community development projects.
The community partner for this pilot programme is God’s Love Centre, a very overcrowded orphanage that currently houses over 45 children in a house with just 2 dormitory rooms. The new site on which the construction will be built will house the adolescent youth while the existing site will continue to house the younger orphans and vulnerable children below 13 years of age.
God’s Love Centre’s Founder, Neo Motantsi says “We are very excited about rise because for many years we have been crying out endlessly about having too many children living in just two bedrooms. We wished we had a second home where youth could be separated from the younger children, and now our dream has come true “
Child Protection Manager, Mantoa Sejake from the Ministry of Social Development and Welfare says “ We are very excited for the commencement of this project, as this is not only going to improve the children’s lives but will also improve God’s Love Centre orphanage standards to comply with our standards.”
“We are so happy to be starting construction as soon as we receive the building permit from Maseru City Council, after months of preparation.” says rise‘s Founder Daniela Gusman. “The potential for this pioneering model to scale is very exciting, both regionally as well as across the continent. We believe that young Basotho entrepreneurs can create employment for their generation through enterprise. This combined with the transfer of skills to local communities to improve the country’s infrastructure is not only sustainable and scalable, but also the most dignified path to development in the long term.”
“For many years there has been a challenge for Lerotholi Polytechnic students to be absorbed into the industry after graduation, for there is not enough space in both the private and government sectors to give them an opportunity,” says Molefi Mosese, Lecturer and Head of Programme, Architectural Technology at Lerotholi Polytechnic.
“rise with its in loco programme has given our graduates a big breakthrough in engaging them in community interaction and hands on experience by putting what they have learned from school into practice in a sustainable way. in loco also gives our graduates skills as team players by working hand in hand with different professionals in the built industry and social sciences. It’s equipping them with entrepreneurial skills making them independent individuals who will create jobs in future.”
Another in loco key partner Limkokwing University’s Lecturer and Assistant Faculty Manager of Architecture and the Built Environment David Mojewa says, “We are excited to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with rise. in loco is centered on social responsibility, community and business within the context of Lesotho. As part of our Community Outreach projects, we found it fit to be engaged with rise to uplift the community. Participants gain various skills, knowledge and confidence by building what they have designed. Furthermore, our currently enrolled students and faculty members will also benefit from guest lecture series organised during the period of the in loco programme and fellows benefit by networking with industry captains. These guest lecture series will be followed by international workshops in July & August involving international students and architects as part of a knowledge exchange programme’’.
We give thanks to the following companies who have committed to donate materials for this project including Afrisam, Alliance Insurance, First Aid Tyre, Thetsane Paint Centre, Scribante, Leader Hardware and Sefalana Cash and Carry as well as Vodacom for their financial.
About rise
rise‘s mission is working towards a world where sustainable social enterprises, created by local entrepreneurs from low income countries, are the norm.
Through our professional network, rise links aspiring social entrepreneurs to fundamental resources in order to fulfill their potential. www.riseint.org