“Flow like water and you can make it through any hard rock” – Roger Lee. I am Lintle Mofolo, a Mosotho woman who just recently turned 31 and holds a diploma in Engineering and Architectural Technology. The above statement may bring pride to a lot of people but my journey was an interesting one thus far. I was born and raised in Ha Mabote, a village on the outskirts of Maseru in the district of Berea. Growing up, I had a passion for drawing, whether dresses, floor plans or even doodling. Flipping through my childhood books there was always a drawing. 

Additionally, I studied Civil Engineering with the thought that I could incorporate this love for drawing in my work or do a short course in Architecture later not knowing that one way or another, my “calling” would chase me down. I then went further to pursue Architectural Technology after feeling lost in trying to practise civil engineering and furthering my studies in it. Lost as I was, I knew I wanted to remain in the construction industry while being creative and Architecture was it for me.

For a long time, I believed having studied Civil Engineering was a mistake, and I believed I was starting over in my career path, thinking that I had “lost” a significant number of years in my life. However enrolling for Architecture when I did was a blessing, as among other things I got to learn about rise International. The lectures on climate change, sustainability and vernacular architecture stirred up my interest in the organisation and I followed their social media platforms. When the call for in loco 2023 was made I jumped at the opportunity to apply and be part of this organisation. When I joined in loco I had little to no knowledge of it but I am thankful to be here.

Not only does the programme help me incorporate and appreciate both my fields of study but it is a great opportunity to see how they both complement each other in practice. The fellowship, to me, has not only been an opportunity to grow professionally but on a personal level as well. The interaction with other fellows, their disciplines of study, the knowledge they have and their different characters have helped me hone my interpersonal skills. The “learning by doing” methodology has helped me acquire skills that I probably would not gain due to my fear of exploring new avenues. Lastly, the business training sessions and the modules at large incorporated into the fellowship have helped increase my knowledge of the construction industry and entrepreneurship.

Because I believe in design that speaks to the end user, the participatory design process was both fascinating and an educative tool to take away from the fellowship. Being a site architect for the past few months gave me the confidence to practise what I learned in school. With these gains and more the fellowship has helped me to grow in one way or another and with all that I am learning, I already see an improvement in other avenues of my life outside of the fellowship. In his speech “Lessons from a 5^th-grade dropout,” Rick Rigsby said “Make sure your servant’s towel is bigger than your ego” and it is through serving, not only the community through rise and in loco but the fellows at rise team that I get to grow.

My name is Lintle Ramathatele, “mekoari” (Construction workers) call me “ ‘M’e Popi” and I am 22 years old, soon to turn 23. Currently, reside in Ha Pita though I grew up in Maputsoe, an industrial town in Northern Lesotho in a small village called Ha Chonapase. 

Completed my high school in Maputsoe Community High School where I can say my career started. This school is situated just next to the waste disposal and sewage disposal areas and during my time there, classes were often disturbed by the smell of the sewage and that of the smoke (that was caused by the chemical reactions, from solid waste, hospital waste to liquid waste). 

These experiences turned into a search for my career and they helped shape me into a person I am today. They inspired me to pursue my dreams, as I believe that “if you want things to change you must change first, if you want the things to be better you have to be better” Jim Rohn , I have been following these words for a long time because they help me take responsibility of every situation in my life. 

After high school, I then enrolled for water and environmental engineering at Lerotholi Polytechnic because I wanted to change that situation for other kids coming after me in my hometown, who would like to attend high school where I attended.  

I believe that this country needs more people with best sustainable planning skills, environmental management and environmental laws knowledge to strive for environmental protection and the circular economy in the built environment. This is where I came to know about rise international during their visit in the school. Though I did not pay much attention, I followed their social media pages. 

After graduation, I saw a post about a circular economy workshop, I then recognised that this is where I belong, not long after, my friend forwarded the post about the fellowship, I applied and luckily, I got admitted. I joined the in loco fellowship, 5^th cohort in March; this has been one of the best moments of my life. I am very happy to be one of the youths that are planning and constructing the Stadium of Life, the stadium that would be very sustainable and environmentally friendly. 

Currently I am a Plant and Logistics manager and a buyer. The experience, knowledge and skills acquired here are a turning point for me as they are helping me discover my strengths and my weaknesses, and are teaching me valuable skills that I believe I will use in the future. During these few months, I have worked in various fields (irrigation system installation, drainage systems, retaining wall, etc). We are not just hands on, we are also taught very important skills that are needed in the real world, and some modules I liked most are sustainable architecture, negotiating and entrepreneurship. Each experience has taught me something new and helped me collaborate with other people which was something I did not know before I became part of the fellowship, most importantly they help me put all the theory gathered at school into practice.

Looking back on my time here as a fellow, I am very grateful for the experience and this opportunity that has come my way, as I know that there is always   room for growth. My goal is to continue learning and pushing myself to become the best version of myself, but most importantly, I want to start my own waste management company that would be a stepping stone in the direction of fixing Lesotho’s problematic management of waste and contributing towards the circular economy.