In early 2009, Laura Cutshall and Mike Ogden spent three months in Lesotho to complete the adoption of their son. They were struck by the stunning high mountain landscapes and the deep-rooted traditions of the family-oriented Basotho people. They were also deeply affected by the desperate stories of poverty and overwhelming HIV/AIDS prevalence that has led to over 130,000 orphans in the country.

In early 2010 Laura and Mike informally asked family and friends if they would help celebrate their family’s one year anniversary by donating to Beautiful Gate. By the spring, it was clear that many people were becoming connected to this amazing children’s care centre and wanted to do more. So Laura contacted Pam Carlson of Swazi Kids Society and asked her if she would be interested in starting a partnership to support a fledgling Lesotho charity.  Since Swazi Kids Society has a complementary vision and under a broader scope for the Society for the Education of Children in Southern Africa, she agreed it was a fit and the partnership was formed.

For much of the 2010 summer and fall, our little charity operated under the name of Swazi Kids Lesotho. We had our own operations and accounting, but obvious questions (…were we Swazi? …were we Basotho?) were starting to surface. So it was agreed that we needed to rename the Lesotho charity under the broad scope of Society for the Education of Children in Southern Africa to send a clearer message about our mission.

In late 2010, Amy Johnstone, joined the charity.  Amy has a long history of a connection to Africa. In 1998 Amy made her first trip to Southern and Eastern Africa including Lesotho. Since then she has travelled to Southern Africa four subsequent times both for holiday and employment. Amy has worked on HIV/AIDS prevention and surveillance projects in South Africa and has first hand experience with this devastating pandemic.   Amy and her husband Derrick adopted their daughter from Lesotho in January 2011.  

Amy and Laura, together with the help of fellow adoptive parent of a Basotho child, Catherine Marshall, launched Mohale Project in April 2011.

We are parents of Basotho children and are profoundly inspired by the heroes we have met in Lesotho. These heroes face adverse poverty, gender inequality and the decimation of HIV & AIDS, yet they rise above their relentless challenges to work for a hopeful future in Africa.

We named our organization with them in mind: ‘Mohale’ which means hero in Sesotho, the language spoken in Lesotho.


Read the FAQs about Mohale Project's relationship with Swazi Kids Society ->