Help Lesotho

Help Lesotho is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 by Canadian educator, psychologist, and social entrepreneur Dr. Peg Herbert. It is registered in both Canada and Lesotho and describes itself as Canada's leading organization working exclusively in Lesotho. The organization began as a grassroots initiative operating from an Ottawa basement and grew into a respected international organization known for evidence-based programming, strong governance, and measurable impact. Its mission is to support Basotho communities — particularly children, youth, women, and grandmothers — with the skills, confidence, and psychosocial support needed to build healthy futures in the face of HIV/AIDS, poverty, gender inequity, and limited access to education. Help Lesotho's programs are guided by five integrated Impact Pillars: Mental Health & Resilience; Gender Equity & Violence Prevention; Youth Leadership, Education & Livelihoods; and other integrated areas. Programs are delivered through two community centres and in partnership with schools and rural communities by an all-local staff of 40 Basotho team members, 82% of whom are program graduates. Each year, 25,000 children, youth, and the people who shape their lives participate in Help Lesotho programs. The organization reports that $0.91 of every $1 goes directly to programs and is proudly accredited by Imagine Canada. In Canada, a lean five-person team focuses on fundraising, governance, and program development, while an international Board of Directors provides fiduciary oversight and strategic leadership. Help Lesotho raises and stewards all of its own funds and operates as one unified organization rather than a donor-recipient relationship. Notable initiatives include the Herd Boy Program, which was recognized with a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Award in 2025, and a 2026 project funded by UNICEF to support young mothers in Leribe and Thaba-Tseka. The organization has received media coverage from outlets such as Public Eye News, The Borgen Project, okayafrica.com, and others.

Help Lesotho was founded in 2004 by Dr. Peg Herbert, a Canadian educator, psychologist, and social entrepreneur. The organization's origins trace to a meeting between Dr. Herbert and a student from Lesotho at the University of Ottawa, where she taught a class in educational psychology. Sister Alice, of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, first invited Peg to visit her in Lesotho after the two formed a connection. During that 2004 visit, Dr. Herbert witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on families and communities — particularly the growing number of children being raised by grandmothers and extended family members. Rather than offering short-term aid, she recognized the need for long-term, child development-focused solutions that addressed both emotional wellbeing and practical life outcomes. What began as a grassroots initiative operating from an Ottawa basement has grown into a respected international organization, registered in both Canada and Lesotho. From its earliest days, Help Lesotho has been grounded in the belief that lasting change is driven locally. The organization's vision was to support Basotho communities — particularly children, youth, women, and grandmothers — with the skills, confidence, and psychosocial support needed to build healthy futures in the face of HIV/AIDS, poverty, gender inequity, and limited access to education. Over the years, Help Lesotho has evolved from a grassroots response to the HIV/AIDS crisis into a trusted organization focused on youth education, mental health, and building healthy, resilient futures. It operates two community centres in Lesotho and delivers programs in partnership with schools and rural communities. The organization's all-local staff of 40 Basotho team members delivers proprietary life skills and mental health programs developed by Basotho, for Basotho. In Canada, a lean five-person team focuses on fundraising, governance, and program development, while an international Board of Directors provides fiduciary oversight and strategic leadership. Key milestones include the recognition of the Herd Boy Program with a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Award in 2025, and a 2026 project funded by UNICEF to support young mothers in Leribe and Thaba-Tseka. Dr. Peg Herbert retired in 2023, and the organization continues to be guided by its mission and locally led approach.

• 2026

  Help Lesotho implements UNICEF-funded project for young mothers in Leribe and Thaba-Tseka

• 2025

  Herd Boy Program recognized with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Award

• 2025

  Help Lesotho achieves Imagine Canada Standards Accreditation

• 2023

  Dr. Peg Herbert retires

• 2004

  Help Lesotho founded by Dr. Peg Herbert

Canada's leading organization working exclusively in Lesotho, delivering locally led, evidence-informed programs rooted in resilience.

1. 1Help Lesotho | Igniting Hope and Resilience in Lesothohelplesotho.org
2. 2Our Story & Mission | Help Lesotho in Lesothohelplesotho.org
3. 3About Help Lesotho | Community Programs in Lesothohelplesotho.org
4. 4Organization News & Updates | Help Lesothohelplesotho.org
5. 5Help Lesotho - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Enyemaka Lesotho - Wikipedia (Igbo)ig.wikipedia.org