HIGHERLIFE Foundation on Monday bid farewell to two young Basotho students whom it has sponsored to further their studies in the United States. The Foundation is a social arm of Econet Telecom Lesotho. The two beneficiaries are ’Matlala Sefale from Butha-Buthe and Katleho Mokhele of Mohale’s Hoek.
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Mokhele jetted to America on Tuesday while Sefale will leave on September 8.
Sefale will pursue a Masters in Data and Computer Science at St Lawrence University in New York while Mokhele will study for a Masters in Psychology and Social Services at the Eaelhan College.
Econet, through the HigherLife Foundation, has so far invested M43 million in sponsorships since 2011, the communications company said at the ceremony.
Sefale and Mokhele’s sponsorships go towards tuition and their upkeep in the United States.
“My heart is filled with joy and I am very grateful for this big opportunity that I am given to further my studies,” Mokhele said at the send-off ceremony in Maseru.
She said the Foundation has been with her since her high school days at St Stephen’s in Mohale’s Hoek district.
“Looking back at how I grew up I never thought I would have a chance to go to school and further my studies,” Mokhele said.
“If it was not for the Foundation I would not have been where I am,” she said.
She thanked Econet for always coming through and helping Basotho children to change their lives.
“Econet does a very good work to help us further our studies and it gives us an opportunity to change our lives, it acts as parents and goes beyond where our own parents can’t.”
Her mother, ’Mabokang Mokhele, said that she felt blessed and would forever thank God for her daughter’s life.
“Ever since she was born she could see that she is the chosen among all my children,” she said.
She said her daughter’s life changed and her education started improving the moment HigherLife came to her life.
“The Foundation honestly came through for my daughter and helped her so much in her journey for education since she was in high school,” the mother said.
“I am so grateful for all this because I could not have been able to take her to school on my own.”
Education Minister Professor Ntoi Rapapa said the M43 million Econet has spent on education sponsorship is a lot of money “but Econet goes miles and spends its money to help these children”.
“The company works so much to take care of your education more than even parents would,” Professor Rapapa said.
“I am so excited to see you girls having such opportunities,” he said.
Dennis Plaatjies, Econet CEO, said they are really working hard as two companies, Econet and HigherLife, to help Basotho children.
“Planning things like this one takes a lot of time and energy to be completely done,” Plaatjies said.
“I would please like you to take this very seriously and consider this as a huge thing for you,” he said.
“I would like to promise everyone who is here that as long as Basotho keep buying our products, we as Econet will keep giving back to you.”
Moipone Makhoalinyane
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