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The Lord's New Church has operated two successful elementary schools in Lesotho for over 30 years. The Lesotho New Church High School has been a dream for many years.
It was anticipated there would be 60 students for the high school opening in January 2019, but due to positive attention from the Lesotho government, enrollment was 85 for this year and many more plan to register for next year! Because of this blessed influx of students, we are scrambling to purchase enough desks, computers and dormitory beds to accommodate them. Any amount you can donate to this cause will be greatly appreciated. |
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Attending School in Lesotho is Not Easy
Schools in Lesotho do not provide transportation. It is not uncommon for a student to walk 1-2 hours each way in unsafe conditions (Lesotho ranks 49th highest in the world for traffic related accidents; the population of the country is only 2.2 million people). Public transportation is scarce and the expense of a taxi puts a strain on the already low income of most families. Students often live with relatives to be closer to their chosen school. These videos from Bokang and Rorisang explain more... |
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Video Transcript of bokang (girl)
I am very excited about the New Church school which is being built near my community. I am in my second year in high school. I attend school at Mazenod High School which is about ten kilometers away from my home. And, because of lack of transport, me and my two cousins had to leave our parents and we live with our grandmother who lives about two kilometers to the bus stop. We come home to our parents on Fridays and leave on Sundays. But staying with our grandmother does not solve our problem completely. We wake up at half past four AM and leave home at half past five AM to catch the bus from six o’clock. Our transport is not reliable. Sometimes bus arrives in times but sometimes do not which makes us be late to school. We leave home to school very early in the morning and return after sunset so we not get enough time for study. For this reason we are very excited about this school and hope that we can be close to school and have enough time to do our school work. Also, other children can stay in the dormitories. Thank you. 
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Video Transcript of Rorisang (boy)
(He was asked to write what he felt were important points people should know) High school buildings: Question Number One - Shapes future: If boys and girls are educated will provide a better future for their families, community, and country. Point number two - Reduction of Expenses: Parents will no longer take their children to far schools where they spend a lot of money for transport. Pont number three - Children’s Safety: Most learners use taxis to and from school. Nowadays in Lesotho, traffic is a major problem and children are at high risk of being hit by vehicles. If we have a high school in our area children will no longer have to travel a long distance. Aid school can receive: Question number one - a well-equipped library The school library ensures that each student has access to resources irrespective of home opportunities. Point number two - computer lab: Students can research topics in minutes computer literacy is now part of learning in Lesotho education Last point number three - A science lab: Children should not only be taught sciences or eye , experiments encourage a deep understanding in children. Thank you. |
Luka Society of the Lord's New Church
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Vision & Mission Statements
for the Lesotho New Church High School VISION
To provide a New Church education for high school students in Maseru, Lesotho and the surrounding villages. MISSION To provide a unique education by teaching the trade skills of agriculture, carpentry, and leather work alongside New Church religion classes. These classes and trade skills will prepare students to meet the practical and spiritual challenges of living lives of usefulness, while also achieving curriculum standards set by the Lesotho government. To achieve our Vision & Mission we will:
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To donate by check, please include "The Lord's New Church High School" in the memo and send to:
The Lord's New Church P.O. Box 7 Bryn Athyn, PA 19009 Please direct Lesotho New Church High School inquiries to the Executive Assistant at the Lord's New Church in Bryn Athyn, PA. Phone number 215-947-2727, info@thelordsnewchurch.org |
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Location
HISTORY OF THE NEW CHURCH IN LESOTHO
The New Church has been in Lesotho for over 100 years!
In 1863 Catholics brought Christianity to Lesotho, which was then called the Basotho region of South Africa.
In 1911, a member of the New Church, Mr. Gibson, traveled to South Africa to acquire sure-footed Basotho ponies. He met Samuel Mofokeng, a deacon of the Catholic church.
An article from “New Church Life” recounts:
“Mr. Mofokeng traveled with Mr. Gibson over a large part of Basotholand, acting as a guide and interpreter for him. Seeing Mr. Mofokeng in clerical dress, Mr. Gibson* asked him what Church he belonged to and Mr. Mofokeng answered. "I am a deacon in the Church of England". Mr. Gibson then asked: "Have you heard about the New Church?'" And Mr. Mofokeng asked, "No, what kind of a Church is it?"
The New Church has been in Lesotho for over 100 years!
In 1863 Catholics brought Christianity to Lesotho, which was then called the Basotho region of South Africa.
In 1911, a member of the New Church, Mr. Gibson, traveled to South Africa to acquire sure-footed Basotho ponies. He met Samuel Mofokeng, a deacon of the Catholic church.
An article from “New Church Life” recounts:
“Mr. Mofokeng traveled with Mr. Gibson over a large part of Basotholand, acting as a guide and interpreter for him. Seeing Mr. Mofokeng in clerical dress, Mr. Gibson* asked him what Church he belonged to and Mr. Mofokeng answered. "I am a deacon in the Church of England". Mr. Gibson then asked: "Have you heard about the New Church?'" And Mr. Mofokeng asked, "No, what kind of a Church is it?"
Read More
Mr. Gibson said, "The New Church was established by a man named Emanuel Swedenborg. He wrote many books, but I haven't any with me. If you write to the New Church Book Room, 18 Corporation St., Manchester, England, some New Church books will be sent to you."
This was all that Mr. Gibson told Mr. Mofokeng.
Mr. Mofokeng had often read the Book of Revelation, and wondered if the New Church was the Holy City New Jerusalem prophesied. He wrote to the New Church Book Room in Manchester and received the following books: 4 Liturgies, 4 "Why I am a Newchurchman," 4 "What the New Church Teaches." 1 "New Church Magazine," 1 "New Church Life," 1 General Conference Rules, and 5 General Conference Minutes.
Based on these materials Mr. Mofokeng and his wife sold all that they had and traveled the countryside on foot, evangelizing about the New Church.
After several letters were exchanged with the General Church, Rev. Frederick Gyllenhaal was sent to assess the start of the New Church in Basotholand. Mr. Mofokeng asked the Right Rev. W.F. Pendleton if the churches in Basotholand could come “under the wing” of the General Church of the New Jerusalem.
A few years later, Rev. Theodore Pitcairn, who worked for the General Church at the time, became the church's Superintendent in Basotholand.
In the 1930s Rev. Theodore Pitcairn formed The Lord’s New Church and continued to support the churches in Lesotho.
More churches were built over time, and in the 1980s two elementary schools were established. The Lord's New Church High School started operations in 2019.
This was all that Mr. Gibson told Mr. Mofokeng.
Mr. Mofokeng had often read the Book of Revelation, and wondered if the New Church was the Holy City New Jerusalem prophesied. He wrote to the New Church Book Room in Manchester and received the following books: 4 Liturgies, 4 "Why I am a Newchurchman," 4 "What the New Church Teaches." 1 "New Church Magazine," 1 "New Church Life," 1 General Conference Rules, and 5 General Conference Minutes.
Based on these materials Mr. Mofokeng and his wife sold all that they had and traveled the countryside on foot, evangelizing about the New Church.
After several letters were exchanged with the General Church, Rev. Frederick Gyllenhaal was sent to assess the start of the New Church in Basotholand. Mr. Mofokeng asked the Right Rev. W.F. Pendleton if the churches in Basotholand could come “under the wing” of the General Church of the New Jerusalem.
A few years later, Rev. Theodore Pitcairn, who worked for the General Church at the time, became the church's Superintendent in Basotholand.
In the 1930s Rev. Theodore Pitcairn formed The Lord’s New Church and continued to support the churches in Lesotho.
More churches were built over time, and in the 1980s two elementary schools were established. The Lord's New Church High School started operations in 2019.
General InformationContact: Rev. Teboho Mahlakeng
Email: tsmahlakeng_82@yahoo.com Phone: +266 (22) 310-302 - or - Contact: Rev. Tiisang Keketsi Email: tekeketsi@gmail.com Phone: +266 (22) 310-302 Address: P.O. Box 2406 Maseru 102 Lesotho |
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