Lesotho, the breathtaking landlocked Kingdom encircled by South Africa, is a country of resilience and beauty. Yet today, over 30% of its population suffer from physical and cognitive stunting caused by daily exposure to smoke from cooking over open fires using fuel wood.
A simple, life-changing solution is making a profound difference: heat retention cook bags. Made by local women, for local women, these bags are helping rewrite the story of household health, time poverty, and food security. Now in our 26th year of partnership and learning, we work closely with local organisations to distribute these bags and monitor their impact.
The results are deeply moving—and deeply practical. One of the most powerful outcomes is the time freed for cooks, especially women. Many choose to spend this time learning smart farming techniques through hands-on demonstrations at our teaching farm. Here, they master water-saving, waist-high gardens and sustainable methods like conservation agriculture, cover cropping, companion planting, and rainwater management that turns floods into irrigation.
The farm is also home to conical fire pits, where woody waste is transformed into biochar—a carbon-rich, water-retentive soil enhancer often called “black gold.” This work is open to all, but if you’re passionate about growing and sustainability, this is a little corner of paradise.
