After graduating college, I found myself in a period of uncertainty. Like many recent graduates, I wasn’t entirely sure what the next step would be. My background was an unconventional mix—majoring in Religion with a minor in East Asian Studies and Chinese. I loved studying religion because it offered a beautiful window into different cultures, covering everything from language and psychology to beliefs that shape societies and people. Yet, while I was deeply interested in these subjects, I still wasn’t sure what my path forward would look like.
One of the most defining experiences of my college years came from joining the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative (LNI) as a freshman. LNI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to packing meals for children under the age of five in Lesotho. I poured myself into this work, and before long, it felt like more than just a club—it was a cause that resonated deeply with me and introduced me to a group of people who felt like family. We even planned a trip to Lesotho for the summer of 2020, but, like so many things, those plans were shattered by COVID. Instead of traveling with my new friends, I found myself stuck at home, disconnected, and waiting for the world to open back up.
It wasn’t until 2022, two long years later, that I finally set foot in Lesotho. And I can honestly say, the experience was worth every second of waiting. I still get goosebumps and tear up when I remember that first trip. I went with people from my university, including my best friend, Taylor, whom I’d met through LNI. We spent a month split between two communities, Ramabanta and Molimo Nthuse, where we worked on community service projects. But this trip wasn’t just about service—it was about immersion, connection, and understanding a culture that I had grown to care about deeply from afar. Those four weeks transformed me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. I fell in love with the people, the language, and the land, and I knew I’d left a piece of my heart there when I returned home.
Coming back to the States was harder than I expected. It felt like a piece of me had stayed behind in Lesotho. I was going through a lot personally, battling PTSD, anxiety, and depression. That last year of college was by far the hardest year of my life, and I think it’s safe to say that antidepressants and my dream of returning to Lesotho were what kept me going.
Through LNI and my university connections, I found out about a local organization in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, called Touching Tiny Lives (TTL). TTL has worked with a handful of alumni from my university, including two close friends who were already working in Mokhotlong. It was a year-long commitment to work and live in the region, so I took the leap, applied, and was accepted. With that, I was on my way back to the place that had left such a lasting mark on my heart.
Returning to Lesotho has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Living and working in Mokhotlong feels like coming home in a way, and I’m endlessly grateful for the opportunity to give back to a place that gave me so much. This blog is my way of sharing my journey, my love for Lesotho, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I hope it captures a bit of the magic, resilience, and beauty of this incredible country. Thank you for coming along with me—I can’t wait to share this adventure with you.