After a welcome rest at Roma, we had a hearty bowl of oats sitting on the veranda soaking up the morning African sun, after which we packed up and headed out for today's adventure

During the day we visited 6 primary schools in Maseru to talk about the harmony run. We were joined by two local supporters, Yvonne and Moleboheng from the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Gender and Recreation. Both had played a key role in arranging the World Harmony Run events in Lesotho.

As we had arrived in the dark the previous day, the morning drive into Maseru was our first real look at life in Lesotho. We found ourselves photographing everything as we drove along in the blue World Harmony Run van.

Lesotho is a small landlocked country in southern Africa which is almost twice as big as nearby Swaziland at 30,355 square kilometres. The country is very mountainous and was formed as a distinct country when King Moshoeshoe the Great united local peoples in defence against attacks from Shaka the great Zulu king and later the Boers. The people of Lesotho have their own language Sesotho and a unique culture. These people have recently suffered great hardships with the spread of AIDS and the recent collapse of the textile industry, which was a mainstay of the economy. It is sobering to note for those of us from developed countries that nearly 30 % of the 2 million people of Lesotho have HIV and AIDS and 45 % are unemployed. Despite these outer challenges we found that almost without exception the people of Lesotho had a natural charm and openness that made us instantly feel at home.

Our first appointment of the day was at the American International School. They had a bright and colourful playground and as we entered the school the students were gathered together singing the world harmony run song. The student population is exceptionally multicultural with children coming from countries all over the world. After our short presentation we were treated with a poetry recital and display of artwork by some of the students. One little Australian boy with a very thick Australian accent was a particular surprise for us Kiwis.

After the American International School we ran up to Maseru Preparatory School. The students looked very sharp in bright white shirts and as we entered were in a full recital of the World Harmony Run song.

This school was a particular favourite of mine because of the excellent performances from the children. These included two wonderful songs invoking guidance in bringing about peace and stability to their nation, a gymnastic spectacle of flexibility and dexterity and another full blown performance of the world harmony run song. Their performances were well rehearsed and presented on a stage with a backdrop of hand painted panoramas. Posters along the walls depicted some of the issues in Lesotho.

Excellent performances

After the performances the whole school had a chance to run with the torch around their fields. At this point John from New Zealand was introduced to Princess Senafe Seiso, daughter of the reigning monarch King Letsie III.

Some local spectators joned us on the run to Methodist Primary School, and as soon as the students saw us coming they rushed the gates in great excitement.

Slowly order reigned and the students re-grouped as we ran into their school. Although this school was less affluent than the previous school it had a real feeling of the heart of Africa. The students were very sweet and greatly excited by our visit.

After our performance of the world harmony run song we were treated to a very soulful Christian song by the students. The students during the song were very solemn and swayed slowly together as they sang. It was a very touching performance and for a moment I felt part of their lives and joined with their hardships, joys and underlying love of God. For a few moments we all stood spell bound with waves of their sweet music washing over us as we all stood together in a dusty courtyard under the bright African sun.

The kids guessed where Yvonne was from quite quickly

The students had great fun running with the team

The Principal accepts a token of our appreciation

On the way to Iketsetseng School we had a chance to run through the centre of town and were greeted with surprise and then delight by the locals as we passed. Some even joined us for short bursts to hold the torch and people rushed out of their shops to eagerly receive flyers we were handing out.

At Iketsetseng Primary School a sea of smiling faces and twinkling eyes again greeted us.

Anywhere a camera was pointed the children would light up and group together, the most perfect subjects a photographer could ask for.

The students did a very sweet performance of the World Harmony Run song, which we watched, enthralled.

The highlight for all of us was probably a spirited run around the courtyards of the school, with the teachers too joining the spirit of the performance.

At Leseli Primary School we were joined by Lesotho National athletics coach Chaplin Mplomane, who is a good friend and helper of the World Harmony Team. Chaplin who himself is a great athlete with a 2:10 marathon best, now dedicates himself to coaching upcoming Lesotho talent. While he held the torch he was joined by students from the school whom had prepared poetry to read out.

Afterwards everybody had a chance to make a wish for world harmony when they held the torch.

Much joy was had by all when Chaplin led the school in a run around the grounds.

The last school we visited was Unity Primary School, which we just caught as the students were finishing. This developed into an impromptu performance in the courtyard of the school where we shared a few songs with a small group of the students.

Later Ondrej and Leon ran with the torch through the countryside.

Lesotho is spectacular!

This nun was happy to add her blessings to the torch to finish off a long but fulfilling day.

– Richard

Distance: 15 km

Team Members:
Balarka Robinson (South Africa), Ondrej Vesely (Czech Republic), Robert Senovsky (Czech Republic), John Marshall (New Zealand), Barney McBryde (New Zealand), Chris Daly (New Zealand), Richard Pedley (UK), Stavros Polykarpou (RSA/Cyprus), Shree Chirkoot (RSA / India), Leon Subramoney (South Africa)

Gallery: See more images!