Herding is a key livelihood for many boys and men in Lesotho, but the demands of the profession often force them to abandon formal education. A handful of underfunded schools are now offering basic literacy and numeracy lessons to help these herders learn essential skills while continuing their work. The initiative aims to bridge a critical gap in education for a marginalized group whose traditional way of life clashes with conventional schooling. For those dependent on herding, these programs may provide a rare chance to gain foundational knowledge without leaving their profession.
Many thousands of boys and men in Lesotho take up the vital profession of herding but have to give up their education. A small network of schools on a shoestring budget is teaching them the ABCs.
