Bothoba-Pelo Foundation Empowers Youth with Fruit Tree Skills to Fight Unemployment

As Lesotho grapples with a rising youth unemployment crisis recently declared a state of emergency by the Prime Minister, local organisations are stepping up to offer practical solutions. One such organisation is the Bothoba-Pelo Foundation, which has launched an initiative to equip young Basotho with agricultural skills to create sustainable livelihoods.

This week, the Foundation hosted a two-day workshop on fruit tree training at Corp College in Maseru. The training is part of the organisation’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment by empowering youth with hands-on skills that can generate income and promote food security.

Founder of the Foundation, Mrs. Mamolemo Letlala, said the training was designed to teach essential skills in fruit tree planting, pruning, and improving fruit yield and tree health. “This workshop is one of the mechanisms we are using to respond to the high unemployment challenge among Basotho, especially the youth,” she explained.

Mrs. Letlala expressed optimism that these skills could open doors to entrepreneurship and community-based agriculture projects. Participants learned not only how to grow and maintain fruit trees, but also how to potentially turn those trees into small businesses through fruit sales, processing, or nursery development.

Interestingly, while the workshop was targeted at the youth, Mrs. Letlala noted that a significant number of the attendees were women. “This shows that while the training aims to address youth unemployment, women are also eager to learn and create better lives for their families,” she said.

The success of the workshop highlights the importance of practical, skill-based learning in helping Basotho navigate economic challenges. As the country continues to search for long-term employment solutions, initiatives like the one from Bothoba-Pelo Foundation are a beacon of hope, showing that small, community-led actions can have lasting impact.