Safety in Malealea, Lesotho What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
It’s very rural and safe in the Malealea Valley! It’s safe to walk around in a small group (maybe 2-3 people). At night we sometimes heard chanting or drums. It was unsettling at first, but when we talked to our host he assured us that there are some other ritualistic/traditional religions practiced in the villages, but those people are harmless. They mind their own business and wouldn’t harm you!Also, if you take a taxi into Maseru, be careful in the city once you get there. It is not safe to walk around Maseru as a foreigner. We spent some weekends at Pioneer Mall and our host warned us to stay inside the mall because it is unsafe to wander outside.
It’s very rural but extremely safe!
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Malealea, Lesotho Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
I loved and recommend ministry in the Malealea Valley! Our host family (at Africa 4 Jesus) was phenomenal and had a strong heart for the Lord.In the morning we would walk to our village (a 30-60 minute walk) to build relationships with the local community and to serve them wherever needed (so evangelical related work). This ranged from fetching water, to helping them cook, to doing laundry, washing windows, or most often just spending time with them. We had a translator who went with us. After building some relationships in the first week of ministry, we would go back and visit many of the same houses to try and “go deeper” a.k.a share the Gospel with them. Many common issues in our village were alcoholism, family conflict, relationship problems, or just a need for encouragement. My advice is to bring your Bible to the villages if you do this type of ministry. Sometimes the locals would ask us to encourage them, and my Bible was the most essential tool I could use to do so! It created an opportunity to share God’s word with them and God really led me to scriptures that spoke into these individuals’ situations.In the afternoon, ministry was helping out around our host’s base. We helped paint their preschool, leveled the ground with rocks and cement for their basketball hoop area, painted a world map on the inside of the church, and built a pathway on the property out of rocks and cement.
We spent our mornings walking to the mountain villages and evangelizing. We met the village chiefs and would help the community with chores while spreading the word. In the afternoons, we would help fix/spruce up the property.
Lodging
Lodging in Malealea, Lesotho Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
We worked with Africa 4 Jesus and stayed inside their church on the base. Two teams were at our ministry that month, so all 14 of us stayed inside the church due to cold weather conditions. They had thin mattresses and blankets for our teams. We all put our sleeping pads on top of the mattresses they provided as they were pretty worn out! We were there in August and the temperature varied throughout the month. During the day, the temperature ranged from 45 degrees F – 75 degrees F depending on the day…it could get pretty windy as well. At night it was COLD…maybe between 25 and 40 degrees F the whole month. If you are going to Lesotho at this time of year, I would definitely bring some warm clothing. While we were there, Pieter (the host) talked about how they were going to have a bunk room for future racers (didn’t specify when). Maybe it will be built by the time you arrive. 🙂The toilets at Africa 4 Jesus are “long drops” aka porta potties. There were two, and there were two showers as well. The water was broken for much of our time there, so we heated up water over a fire and used that to wash up. A little over halfway through the month the water was fixed and we were able to take hot showers (PTL, such a blessing!)The local Lesotho people that work on the Africa 4 Jesus base were so great (Pieter disciples them and employs them). I’d encourage you to take the time to get to know them even though they don’t all speak a lot of English. Also take time to get to know Pieter’s two sons. They are all such sweet people and we developed some awesome relationships with them while we were there. Many of my favorite memories are from the times I spent hanging out with the boys and the staff!
It was the middle of the winter when we stayed here… we camped inside of the church due to rainy and SNOWY conditions. The wind is really strong as well during these months.In the summer months, it would be a BEAUTIFUL place to Eno or tent!
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Malealea, Lesotho What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
Food at Africa 4 Jesus:Breakfast – Maize porridge and Oatmeal (we had these all month and they switched every other day). Occasionally we had eggs and bread.Lunch – PB&J most days, sometimes tomato and cheese sandwichesDinner – Delicious on most days! Some things we had were pop and some variation of stew (ate this most nights), homemade bread and veggies sometimes, macaroni pie, chicken, beef, etc.Martamello (don’t quite know how to spell her name…haha) was the cook. She’s very sweet. Before dinner, you can go into the kitchen and see if she needs any help cutting veggies or making dinner. We ate dinner around 5 or 6pm, so just before 5pm we would go in the kitchen to see if dinner was ready. Then our teams would bring the plates/forks and food to the church. We ate our meals in the church.Sometimes Keila cooks dinner – usually on Sundays. As mentioned below, she’s an excellent cook!At the end of the month Pieter usually does a “love feast”. A time where you exchange notes of encouragement between teammates and the A4J staff, and then everyone feasts on a delicious meal (we all helped to prepare the meal). We did this on our last night in Lesotho.
Breakfast- porridge or oatmeal.lunch-PB&J & fruitdinner- ALWAYS DELICIOUS & a variety!Keila is an AMAZING COOK!
Transportation
Transportation in Malealea, Lesotho What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
As mentioned below, you will walk a lot. Sometimes Pieter will drive you to places (like the Malealea Lodge if you want to go there for a weekend). To leave the valley and head to Maseru on off days, we took a taxi. Speak with Pieter about organizing this and he can help you setup a time for the taxi to pick you up.
You will walk a lot… Lesotho is the mountain kingdom so expect rocks, steep inclines at times, and higher elevation.
Medical
Medical in Malealea, Lesotho Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
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Communication
Communication in Malealea, Lesotho Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
Wifi is scarce in the valley! There is a nearby lodge called the Malealea Lodge where we would go to get wifi. You have to buy it though and it is used up pretty quickly. I believe the next closest wifi is in Maseru. We would go to Pioneer Mall to get wifi, and even there it wasn’t guaranteed.
There isn’t much electricity so charging devices is not possible or very rare. There is a lodge nearby… you can not charge devices there unless you pay to stay. A few people in our group would stay there on free days and off days. You can stay for $12 a person. There is a coffee shop, restaurant, and bar. There is internet at the lodge and you can charge your devices between the hours of 4-8pm.
Financial
Financial in Malealea, Lesotho Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
Africa 4 Jesus – The host prefers to be paid upfront for food, housing, and transportation. However the ATM’s will only allow you so much to be pulled out at a time. I would suggest communicating with your logistics coordinator about possibly putting as much as you can on both team cards and making two maximum withdrawals from the cards when you get to Maseru. This will reduce your number of trips to town which can be expensive.
There aren’t any ATMs near the A4J base in the valley. You will probably need to take out money at the ATM in Maseru.If you would like to stay at the Lodge or go horseback riding there, you can pay with a card.
Translators
Translators in Malealea, Lesotho List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Our translators were great! We loved them. They were so patient with us and the people we spoke with in our village. I would encourage you to find small ways to bless them during your time in the valley. Build relationship with them as well and really get to know their story!
Love your translators well! Pour into them! They are the ones that continue spreading the gospel when you leave… invest in them and build them up! They are learning the Word and love having Biblical discussions! We invited them to team times and things like that.
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Malealea, Lesotho What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
Africa 4 Jesus – There is a lodge in the valley that racers have traditionally gone to for off day adventures and WiFi, however the relationship between the lodge and A4J is severely strained and may not be in good standing. While we were there we had a group of us kicked out of the coffee shop at the lodge for no reason. We were paying customers and had every right to be there, but the owner did not want us there. I would ask what the standing is with the lodge before going.Fortunately there is a lot to do in the valley! The rock pools are a ton of fun and extremely refreshing if you are there in the summertime. There is also a creek that you can walk to from the base and hiking trails all over the mountains.
The lodge is always a fun option. It was really nice to get away for a night! There is a cafe on the property, an awesome view, and the food was delicious. You can organize a weekend at the lodge with Pieter’s help. ALSO, there is a dessert called a “fat cake” or Makoenya (not sure how to spell it). The best place to get them is just down the street from the Lodge at a little tiny shop. They are super cheap and delicious.Other activities we did were hike to a waterfall, horse back riding (worth it – the view was beautiful), and we went to the mall a few times in Maseru. It was Pioneer Mall. It’s a good place to buy some cheap clothes if you need them, have a nice meal, or whatever else. However, if I could go back in time I’d go to the mall less and do more exploring outside with Pieter’s boys, friends, or teammates.
There is a lodge nearby… you can not charge devices there unless you pay to stay. A few people in our group would stay there on free days and off days. You can stay for $12 a person. There is a coffee shop, restaurant, and bar. There is internet at the lodge and you can charge your devices between the hours of 4-8pm.From the lodge you can also rent mountain bikes and four wheelers to explore the trails!You can go on guided horse back treks through the mountains! I did this and it was AMAZING! One of the most beautiful adventure days thus far on the Race and I’m in month 7! I highly recommend it! (We did the 4-6 hour ride)
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Malealea, Lesotho Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
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Tips
People’s Opinions
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Additional Info
Additional Info in Malealea, Lesotho Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?