Our Story
Thuso E Tla Tsoa Kae, which translates in English to, "Where will help come from," is a boarding school in Botha-Bothe, Lesotho, dedicated to the development of children with intellectual and multiple disabilities. It was established in 1985 by the late Mrs. Matsoakae Mphutlane, who recognized that there was a gap in the mainstream education system and that there were very few opportunities for children with disabilities in Lesotho. The school started operating at her home, where she took in children who were neglected and abandoned from their families and communities. She later relocated to a community hall until 1993, when the Government of Ireland provided support for the construction of a classroom block, dining hall and dormitory.
Currently the centre has 84 students with disabilities ranging from intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, down syndrome and communication disorders.
The teaching grants provided by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is the major resource provider of the educational activities at the centre. The school received two teaching grants in 2004 that allowed the centre to employ the school principal, Miss Mamonuku Mofilikoane. Since then, the education system at the centre has gradually started to formalise. Admission policies and a basic curriculum were designed along with the implementation of Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) and pre-entry assessments. Additional teaching grants were received in 2011 that allowed for the employment of two teachers, whilst another two were received in 2012. The presence of more teaching staff has led to improvements in the teaching of vocational skills, such as wood working, gardening, farming and sewing. This has also enabled a reduction in class-to-teacher ratios which has greatly improved the education opportunities for students for more individualised learning.
“Despite the many challenges that the children here are confronted with, they seem happier and more content due to the great and homely care.”
Our Mission
Thuso Centre's mission is to assess, care and support Basotho children with intellectual and multiple disabilities by providing them with basic functional academic, vocational and life skills classes. Through this training, our students will become more independent and have meaningful roles in their families and communities back home.
Our Vision
We are an equipped learning centre with a safe and healthy environment that offers continuous support to learners and graduates with appropriate life skills and sustainable self-reliant projects for the school and its graduates.
Our Focus
- Nutrition: We focus on the provision of balanced and nutritious meals as well as the provision of food supplements for malnourished children due to illness or other health related issues.
- Shelter: While at the centre, our children receive appropriate care and support as well as a clean and safe residential facility for them to live in.
- Health: We ensure that our children are living a healthy lifestyle and are receiving medical care in a timely manner.
- Psycho-social support : We provide counselling and activities that will help our children to appropriately manage their emotions and liver happier and healthier lives.
- Protection: We continually develop our policies to ensure and protect our children's rights.
- Education : We treat each learner as an individual and provide Individual Education Plans to equip them with skills that will help them in the future.
The centre provides residential facilities for our children who are supported by four housemothers, four housefathers, two cooks and a social worker. The number of care workers, however, falls short in relation to both national and international standards, as well as the child-to-care worker ratio.
“Keep up the good work caring for these children.”