http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100905%2FNEWS%2F9070341

By TARSHA VEIGA

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

September 05, 2010 12:00 AM

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tarsha Veiga, of Freetown, is a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Lesotho, Africa. This is the latest in her series of reports about her life there.

In a world where education is not a right, rather a privilege, many students do not attain an education. In 1997 Lesotho’s government administered free Primary education to grades one through seven. Beyond the desire of seventh grade, all students must pay their own fees to acquire further institutional knowledge. In a world where the staple food of corn meal can hardly be afforded, it is unlikely that many students will go beyond seventh grade. In the circumstances that any given student reaches junior high or high school, it is out of the family’s struggle and sacrifice where annual subsistence crops are bartered for school fees. Mr. Khotso Sekhele, the scholarship student, was fortunate enough to graduate from high school but due to lack of funds his education could not proceed until a turning point.

When landing in Lesotho, I wondered what I would do for this country that would have a true affect. Soon, I realized what this country really needed in order to thrive. Knowing that education is the key to success, I decided, with the community, that a scholarship grant would be the correct way to provide for Lesotho. At heart, I felt satisfied to come to this conclusion. Later, however, I realized that defeat would be a daily reality. 

After a 20 page proposal to the Peace Corps office in Lesotho, my idea got wiped by Peace Corps Washington DC., as it was too unconventional. At that point, I was lost, had no back up plans or a forward direction. With months of persistence, I was finally told that the non-profit organization, Friends of Lesotho, would allow my grant money to be routed through them. I thought to myself, “Finally!” Later I realized the storm was yet over. Time in this world has no measure, no reference points, shape or tempo –  to often it all seems to be at a standstill.

 After one and a half years of persevering, the scholarship grant received enough funding for Sekhele to begin his studies at the University of South Africa. Upon realizing Sekhele qualified for a degree in Business Management, we were ecstatic and marveled in the thought of success for him and his people. As time elapsed, the struggle began when he was accepted to university. After receiving books and a school schedule, he received a phone call from the admissions office stating, “There has been a mistake in your application, therefore we have declined your acceptance.” Sekhele then asked the gentleman why.  He was given ill answers like, “The computer states that you do not qualify,” and, “I did not decline you, it looks as if you just can’t come to school.” Even when Sekhele defended why his grades qualified and asked to speak to someone higher up, he was told it is not possible.

 At this point, he decided he would not take “no” for an answer, as he qualified for the degree. He decided to teach Africans that success can be achieved no matter the situation and the forces against one. In a world where phone calls cost an arm and a leg, email is over an hour away and only slow public transport is available, it is truly difficult to achieve anything. For two weeks, he was treading water and continuously told that the matter is being taken into consideration, but the entire time, not a single person could answer exactly what the problem was – not one.

 After the wait, Sekhele hopped in public transport and headed 6 hours one way to find some answers and even in person he was pushed aside. With his determination to have what he rightfully deserves, the road opened up to him. He found that people knew he was not going away and demanded answers. Only after 18 hours of public transport and 3 days at the main campus, he was told, “We have discovered the mistakes. You are readmitted and allowed to move forward with your degree.” It is notable that Sekhele was crossing invisible boarders that few others passed.

 I wonder to myself, what if he did not pursue the institutional flaws. Would he be just another African left behind and pushed down forever? And if so, where do “mistakes” like these leave the African continent?

 When I reflect back to my days of teaching in America, I can remember too many students being quite upset that they had to be at school. Do many American students take for granted their time at school and their right to learn? I see with my own eyes what happens to a people when education is not at the forefront of their world. Students appreciate even the smallest knowledge. They are happy to share a book, a seat and a pen. They do not take for granted what is given to them and a lesson repeated for multiple days is an honor to learn, it is like a day at The Science Museum. However, the smallest amount of gratitude does not afford progress or growth for a country like Lesotho. It will only be through prevalent and long lasting education that a world can develop and create opportunities to succeed like America.

 Choice does not exist here. Most people take what they are given and most allow others to determine their destiny. Unlike Americans, black South Africans have not been taught to stand up for what they believe in. Basotho are not empowered by their parents, their school teachers or their government to speak up or to have dreams. Oppression is at the root of this culture, and I have seen it first hand with Sekhele’s situation. Only the strongest survive. I hope that all the work I have done with Sekhele and the community will have its way with Africa - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 In Africa barriers are all around and one must have the audacity to challenge institutional norms. Progress on this continent is painfully slow or does not exist at all. I am enlightened to see Sekhele’s ability to see beyond the limitations that are deeply engrained.

 After one and a half years of pursuing this experience, I can appreciate America’s institutional systems because they are not set up to fail its people. America has taught me to reach for what I believe in no matter what, I have passed that on to others. Sekhele is not going to sit around and wait for others to determine his future. He is now equipped with knowledge to positively impact this world. It is a testament to the resiliency of the spirit. This African spirit is not of war and disease, it is of triumph and self respect in the face of hardships. I know that he will not keep with the operative local principal that a thing broken will never be repaired. Working hard is important but there is something that matters even more, believing in one’s self.

From Khotso Sekhele, "Everyday I see people being pushed down in this world. The struggle I confronted to get to school tells me that anything is possible. I feel I have become a new person and learned lessons beyond even my own understanding. I have the willpower to never give up. This golden opportunity has filled my life with unexplained joy. Higher education has afforded me to see that there are no limits. No longer will I be just another person in a village under a command system that has no exponential opportunities. I know the knowledge my degree will give me will allow me to be a better person who will better the world in which I live.

 Thanks to all those who helped my dream come true. Your effort to make this world a better place is remarkable."  –Khotso Sekhele