It's nearly August and I am scheduled to finish my Peace Corps service in Lesotho in early December. That leaves me with around four months ahead. I've got 32 months in Lesotho already behind me. It's feeling like the home stretch, the end is around the corner. Naturally, I am becoming reflective.
One expectation I arrived here with in 2003 -- which I thought was a highly realistic hope -- was not to make a grand contribution to many lives, but rather to get to know a few individuals well and serve them as best as I could.
A few days ago, Masopha came over and made me realize that I have been successful with regard to this goal. Masopha was a 12th grade student last year and, though he studied hard and passed my English class, he didn't get good enough grades to enter college. But he's a likeable guy with a decent work ethic. He's also 22 years old, which makes him seem like less of a school kid and more of a peer. Over the last few years he's taken me on hikes up the nearby mountain peaks and I've taught him to swim in the river. He's taught me numerous Sesotho songs and how to wear my blanket properly. I've gotten to know his parents and siblings well on visits to his village of Ha Motlokoa. He's become my best friend in the area.
When he came over a few days ago he wanted me to help him practice for his upcoming interview with the Lesotho Mounted Police. He wants to be a cop, and I think he'd be a competent one. We drilled questions like 'What are the duties of a police officer?' and 'Why do you want to be one?' and 'What are the challenges for police officers in a democratic state?' He said he'd visit next week and tell me how it went.
When he left that evening it occurred to me that through him I'm getting to do exactly what I'd hoped here in Lesotho. I've gotten to know Masopha well, he has taught me what he can and I am teaching him what I can.
Maybe next week Masopha will return to tell me his father is pleased because he got a great job as a police officer, and maybe Lesotho will have added a solid member to their force. Maybe everything will all workout. Lucky them lucky me.