Horse-riding for Health Program Brings Hope to Mothers and Children in Lesotho

Numerous times a week, through the mountainous terrain and thin air of Lesotho, they ride. Theirs is a solitary and often treacherous journey across this land appropriately called the "Kingdom in the Sky" – but their efforts embody the depth of their commitment to the future of their nation. They are the couriers of blood samples, HIV test results, vital information, and desperately-needed medication to and from the remote mountain clinics and communities that dot the jagged slopes of Mokhotlong district. Beneath them stand Basotho ponies – rugged animals able to navigate the landscape of Lesotho like no vehicle can. Health authorities in Mokhotlong have partnered with EGPAF for three years on the Horse-riding for Health program, serving mothers, children and families in a nation where HIV prevalence rates are among Africa’s highest. Click on the thumbnails to view full-size images. (Photos: Jon Hrusa)