Isolate lives deny herd boys access to health information

LINEO MABEKEBEKE

THABA-TSEKA –Lesotho’s shepherds, locally known as herd boys, face a life of isolation, lack of education, and minimal support. These young men and boys, some as young as six years old, are sent into the mountains for months at a time to tend to herds of cattle, sheep, or goats, moving from pasture to pasture.

This responsibility prevents them from accessing essential health information and services, further compounding their challenges.

The life of a herd boy is often dictated by family obligations or sheer necessity, forcing many to leave school at an early age. This early departure from school means they miss out on critical learning and development opportunities, leading to a lack of awareness about their human rights and the rights of others.

As a result, abuse is prevalent, both experienced and perpetrated by these young shepherds. Living in remote, mountainous areas, herd boys are cut off from their peers and community members, depriving them of socialisation, support, and guidance.

This isolation fosters a sense of disconnection and lack of responsibility towards others, making them more vulnerable to illnesses and risky behaviours. Rantahli Mosae, a 24-year-old peer educator for Help Lesotho from Ha Labane, sheds light on the dire situation these shepherds face.

“These are a group of people who have little to no access to health information and services,” he explains. “They engage in risky sexual behaviour that puts themselves and others at risk of HIV/AIDS and STIs.” The distance from health facilities exacerbates their risk.

“At times, a herd boy may get sick, and due to the nature of their work, they do not report their illnesses to health facilities,” Rantahli says. “In other instances, the facilities are too far to reach.” Despite knowing about contraceptives like condoms, many herd boys are deterred by myths and misconceptions, leading to inconsistent use.

As a peer educator, Rantahli distributes condoms and teaches correct usage, aiming to prevent the spread of HIV and STIs. He also works to raise awareness of human rights among herd boys, helping them understand and assert their rights to prevent violations by employers or others.

Help Lesotho’s Herd Boy Training programme, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Lesotho, aims to empower these young shepherds.

The programme covers a broad range of topics, including healthy relationships, HIV prevention, reproductive health, gender equity, preventing sexual and domestic violence, the effects of drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, self-esteem, and role modelling. It also provides free condoms, STI screenings, and voluntary medical circumcision referrals.

The primary objective of the Herd Boys programme is to challenge harmful values, instil positive ones, and empower herd boys to make healthy decisions and become agents of change. Through comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), the programme educates participants on gender-based violence (GBV) and child marriage. For many herd boys, this marks their first visit to a health facility for STI and HIV screening.

Community members, including parents, chiefs, and councillors, have observed significant behaviour changes among herd boys, particularly in how they treat women and girls.

Many herd boys have reported that they previously engaged in dangerous, risky, and illegal behaviours simply because no one cared enough to guide them otherwise.

“Herd boys have learned to advocate for others, take initiative within their communities to stop violence against women, and share what they learn with their counterparts,” notes Help Lesotho.

“Communities are becoming more inclusive towards herd boys as they demonstrate a genuine desire to stop their violent or criminal activities and become connected, contributing members.”

Through this programme, participants feel valued and empowered to be part of the solution in combating HIV/AIDS and gender inequity. The comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate health risks but also fosters a sense of community and responsibility among herd boys, paving the way for a brighter future.