PRINCE HARRY VISITS LESOTHO, DECEMBER 2014
On 5th December, Prince Harry made a private visit to Lesotho to see the progress of Sentebale’s programmes that provide support to vulnerable children in Lesotho.
Prince Harry has shared some personal thoughts and photos from a recent tour to Lesotho in support of his charity Sentebale. He has released a small section of his own images from the visit and provided personal captions to a wider selection of photos.
Prince Harry looks at architectural plans with Luke Bennett from Princes Foundation for Building Communities at Sentebale Office, London. 'After the initial sketches came through it was obvious we needed a special touch to spruce up the Mamohato Children’s Centre! With the help of Luke from my father’s building foundation, we were able to produce something very special. Something that didn’t remind me of an Army training camp, and hopefully something that the children will LOVE! It had to be sustainable where possible, and certainly not an eye-sore.'
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry wears hats Christmas with orphans from Mants’ase Children’s Home. 'Festive cheer! Despite it being 32 degrees, someone gave out Christmas hats and inevitably one found its way onto my head. All the children, orphaned for one reason or another, absolutely loved the hats and balloons. We even managed to squeeze a hat onto Prince Seeiso’s head! Again, so nice to see the place so well looked after.' Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry dances in front of the herd boys, during a visit to see the new night school built by Sentebale. 'It was such a treat to be able to re-visit our finished herd boys night school in Mokhotlong. Since laying a couple of bricks 18 months ago, hundreds of herd boys have benefited from evening classes and a warm meal. We were greeted with typically amazing singing from about 40 herd boys, tucked away up in the mountains, miles away from anywhere. I danced with the Chief (Seeiso) who embarrassed himself. And then not to ruin any family traditions, we planted three peach trees!' Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry swings young boy in photo taken by blind 3 year old at Phelisanong Children’s Home. 'Wow, what a welcome we got! There were forty over-energetic children using us as climbing frames, water fights, and a lot of laughs. The boy flying is Lerato, a 3 year old who was abandoned at birth. The photo was taken by 3 year old Karabo who is blind. She heard the clicks, went to the camera and with a little bit of help on direction, shot this great photo.' Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Volunteer at Camp Mamohato laughs at Prince Harry’s singing as they observe a workshop on adherence. 'A chance to see one of the camps in full swing. Normally when we visit Lesotho, it's school time and therefore we always miss the Camp Mamohato. 44 children, from all over Lesotho gathered for a week of fun and learning about living with HIV. These are children who have never had the chance to talk about their illness, and who had no idea that they were one of so many in their age group. It was really emotional watching them interact with each other. Some really outgoing chatty kids, others slightly overwhelmed, but all with huge smiles. This confirmed to me again that what we’re doing is going to change thousands of children’s lives, and hopefully save a generation.' Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Thumbs up with Prince Harry and the Head Teacher, Me Mamonuku Mokfilikoane of Thuso Centre. 'The playground and ramps in this photo were made by 30 members of the British Army. Blood, sweat and tears went into the project over two weeks. The whole place looks incredible, the children are all smiles. Thanks lads.' Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry plays with babies who are on a programme for malnourishment at Touching Tiny Lives. 'After seeing the herd boys, we were invited back to Touching Tiny Lives in the town of Mokhotlong. There were 12 malnourished babies under the age of five that we were fortunate enough to play with for an hour. I will never forget their faces when we walked in. They only ever see and interact with women, so it took a while till they accepted us into their play pen! An enormous hail storm then hit us and two of the children had their faces pressed up against the window for about 15 minutes. These two in the picture were definitely my favourites.' Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry's Pictures: Speaking of the opportunity to document the visit himself, Prince Harry said: 'I have always enjoyed photography and the challenges that come with trying to capture the perfect shot, although privately I don't take many photos. The best photos I have are in my head - I have some very special memories, mostly from Africa. But on this visit, I had the time and opportunity to be on the other side of the camera and take some photos in the stunning country of Lesotho for my charity Sentebale.' ©HRH Prince Henry of Wales. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE. This photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no change for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. All other requests for use should be directed to the Press Office at Kensington Palace in writing
Prince Harry's Pictures: Speaking of the opportunity to document the visit himself, Prince Harry said: 'I have always enjoyed photography and the challenges that come with trying to capture the perfect shot, although privately I don't take many photos. The best photos I have are in my head - I have some very special memories, mostly from Africa. But on this visit, I had the time and opportunity to be on the other side of the camera and take some photos in the stunning country of Lesotho for my charity Sentebale.' ©HRH Prince Henry of Wales. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE. This photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no change for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. All other requests for use should be directed to the Press Office at Kensington Palace in writing
Prince Harry's Pictures: Speaking of the opportunity to document the visit himself, Prince Harry said: 'I have always enjoyed photography and the challenges that come with trying to capture the perfect shot, although privately I don't take many photos. The best photos I have are in my head - I have some very special memories, mostly from Africa. But on this visit, I had the time and opportunity to be on the other side of the camera and take some photos in the stunning country of Lesotho for my charity Sentebale.' ©HRH Prince Henry of Wales. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE. This photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no change for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. All other requests for use should be directed to the Press Office at Kensington Palace in writing
Prince Harry visits the construction site for the Mamohato Children’s Centre. 'The last time I was on the site was before we’d ‘broken ground,’ so to see the progress so far was absolutely amazing. 135 workers on site, all the buildings are half done, and a dining hall that Hogwarts would be proud of. This is a serious project, far bigger in bricks than it is on paper. This is the perfect setting - the sacred land at Thaba-Bosiu given to us by His Majesty King Letsie. We can’t wait for it to be finished and full of smiling, screaming children and hopefully this wall will still be standing.' Chris Jackson/Getty Images