December 2024 – rise International

Closing off an impactful year!

December 19, 2024By Chris Theko0 comment

This year, rise International has made significant strides across our three core pillars: Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development, Promoting Social Enterprise, and Innovative Building Methodologies.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the highlights from Q2&Q3 and share our vision for the future.

Read Quarterly report here

Enhancing School Infrastructure Through the 5 Hub Schools Program

Thanks to the support of Action Ireland Trust and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, we completed several impactful projects, including the construction of new flushing toilet blocks for Lithabaneng Primary School. We also distributed 39 pressure cookers to five schools, streamlining their daily operations and improving overall efficiency.

Sod turning Events at Makoanyane and Leqele Primary Schools
We recently marked the beginning of two exciting new projects at Makoanyane and Leqele Primary Schools where new ablution blocks will be built for the 1500 learners who currently have to use very unhygienic and inadequate pit latrines with no running water.

Our work with Action Ireland Trust enabled significant support for local schools, while our partnership with the British High Commission laid the groundwork for future collaborations aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and green growth in Lesotho.

Innovative Building Methodologies

Breaking New Ground with Sustainable Construction – Countdown to conclusion of Stadium of Life

The Kick4Life Stadium of Life project in Maseru is a testament to the potential of sustainable building. Using FSC-certified timber, we have completed the West seating stand and we are about to complete the South stand. The stadium fencing is now 95% complete, and we’re gearing up for the next milestone—the completion of the Biodiversity Stand.

Collaborating with SolidarMed in Lesotho

We recently began an exciting partnership with SolidarMed Lesotho, an international non-profit that improves health care for 1.5 million people in Lesotho, Moçambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, through infrastructure development and quality health services. In this partnership we are to design and construct a new youth centre in a health and community facility in the highlands of the Mokhotlong District. This project aligns with our mission to create sustainable and impactful solutions for underserved communities.

Potential Collaboration with Skate World Better

We’re thrilled to have also welcomed the Founder of Skate World Better, Martin and his associates, all the way from the Czech Republic, to Maseru, Lesotho! They are a non-profit organization building skateparks around Africa on a mission to support kids and young adults through skateboarding.This visit marked the beginning of a potential collaboration with rise International to explore how skateboarding can drive youth development and inspire change in our communities.

Click Here to Get Involved

Looking Ahead

As we plan for 2025, we’re excited to expand our initiatives and deepen our impact. From launching new community projects to advancing sustainable building practices, our mission to create lasting change remains steadfast.

Fellows Blogs

Technology in Lesotho: A Computer Scientist’s Journey

December 17, 2024By Chris Theko0 comment

Written by: Abdel El Aoami

Traveling to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho was an experience like no other, and something I believe cannot be replicated elsewhere. As a software developer and IT professional, Lesotho provided me opportunities to test my skills and to provide solutions, all thanks to rise.

From the beginning, my objectives were clear, and the main one being to help bridge technological gaps. Seeing the disadvantages local schools and communities had first hand, I quickly understood how importing advanced systems would not be the solution, but rather to adapting existing resources. Limited resources required creative solutions, and the collaborative spirit of the local communities was a powerful reminder of the importance of teamwork. It reinforced the idea that technology is not just about devices and software but about the people who use it and the impact it can have on their lives.

Through rise’s initiatives, I had the opportunity to participate in workshops with the Basotho people. These sessions were met with incredible enthusiasm. As much as I was hoping to share my own knowledge, I continually felt myself at a pause with how much I needed to learn first. Basotho people have taught me ways to adapt and innovate in methods I have never considered before. This left me having a very reinforced idea that technology is not just about devices and software but about the people who use it and the impact it can have on their lives.

rise played a pivotal role in making this journey impactful.

Their commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment is commendable. Beyond technology, they are addressing critical issues like education, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Being part of their mission in Lesotho was an honour. Their work is a testament to the fact that meaningful change is possible when people come together with a shared vision.

Leaving Lesotho, I carried with me more than memories. I brought a renewed sense of purpose and a profound appreciation for the human touch of technological innovation. The experience reinforced my belief that the most powerful technology is that which empowers people, bridges gaps, and creates opportunities.

To my fellow technologists, I offer this insight: our most advanced programs will never match the ingenuity of human connection. Lesotho is not just a place–it’s a testament to the transformative power of understanding, adaptation, and shared vision. And for that, I am deeply grateful to rise for an experience that has fundamentally reshaped my professional and personal perspectives.

Case Studies

African Clean Energy – Addressing limited access to clean cooking energy solutions in Africa.

December 9, 2024By Chris Theko0 comment

DATE 04/12/2024

BY MINAH LEKAU- Monitoring Evaluation & Research Coordinator

BACKGROUND:

African Clean Energy (ACE) is an international social enterprise dedicated to providing off-grid communities in developing countries with access to clean and affordable energy cooking solutions. Through the manufacturing and distribution of the ACE 1 hybrid energy system, ACE offers users a cost-effective product that provides both clean thermal energy for cooking and essential electricity for device charging and lighting.

THE PROBLEM:

The project set out to address limited access to clean cooking energy solutions in remote and underserved communities where geographic isolation and infrastructure make it difficult for communities to obtain while also eradicating poverty levels due to limited job opportunities by providing local employment opportunities that empower communities economically and socially

THE SOLUTION

ACE commissioned rise to design and install 4 self-sufficient mobile shops in Nazareth, Motsekuoa, Mapoteng, and Mphaki. Each mobile unit has a full photovoltaic (PV) solar system, batteries, fridges, printers, and other essential tools, enabling them to function independently. These mobile shops brought efficient, smoke-free cooking technologies directly to off-grid households, expanding access to life-changing solutions designed for these communities, improving health, reducing fuel usage, and fostering environmental sustainability.

THE METHODOLOGY

With support from EU funds, the rise team, in collaboration with our 2018 and 2019 Pioneers (Pioneers are graduates from rise‘s 10-month Design, Build, and Entrepreneurship in loco Fellowship program. Upon completing the fellowship, these graduates enter a three-year business incubation program, which offers business coaching, mentorship, access to power tools and machinery, workspace, networking opportunities, and project referrals) designed and constructed four mobile shops.

THE IMPACT:

Since the handover of these mobile energy hubs in 2019 to date several key accomplishments have been realized:

Strong Relationships with Village Leaders:
ACE has successfully established a strong rapport with local village leaders, significantly improving their Know Your Customer (KYC) process. These relationships have facilitated smoother operations and increased trust in ACE’s products and services.
Enhanced Marketing and Customer Base Expansion:
The mobile energy hubs have served as effective marketing tools, helping ACE increase its customer base. By offering more direct access to remote rural areas, ACE has been able to onboard new customers, further expanding its reach and impact.
Improved Service Delivery:
The hubs have played a crucial role in maintaining a consistent and reliable fuel distribution network for ACE’s hybrid energy systems. Additionally, the mobile energy hubs have enabled ACE to respond to customer maintenance requests more efficiently and quickly.

After-Sales Support:
These hubs, among the oldest in ACE’s network, have proven invaluable for providing after-sales support. They serve as a critical point of contact for a large portion of ACE’s customer base, offering essential repair services and guidance on the use of renewable energy technologies.
Educational Opportunities:
The hubs have created spaces where locals can educate themselves about renewable energy solutions and the benefits of transitioning to more sustainable energy sources. This shift in mindset is crucial for promoting the long-term adoption of clean energy technologies.
Local Employment and Women Empowerment:
Since the completion of the mobile shops, ACE has consistently hired three field agents and a watchman for each hub at any given time, specifically from the local area.

TESTIMONIALS

Rethabile Mafura- Director of ACE

“This initiative has successfully expanded ACE’s reach into rural, underserved communities, improving service delivery and creating economic opportunities, particularly for women. By providing energy access and education, ACE is dedicated to scaling its impact and driving social and environmental change in these regions.”