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Lesotho - US Relations

The United States was one of the first four countries to establish an embassy in Maseru after Lesotho gained its independence from Great Britain in 1966. Since that time, Lesotho and the United States have consistently maintained productive bilateral relations. In 1996, the United States closed its resident bilateral aid program in Lesotho. In 2007, however, the Government of Lesotho signed a compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to provide $362.5 million in support for 5 years to develop Lesotho's water, healthcare infrastructure, and private sector. The compact entered into force in September 2008.

An in-country program to support PEPFAR was established in 2005 and also includes representatives of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control. The Peace Corps has operated in Lesotho since 1966. About 60 Peace Corps volunteers concentrate in the sectors of health, agriculture, education, rural community development, and the environment. The Government of Lesotho encourages greater American participation in commercial life and welcomes interest from potential U.S. investors and suppliers.

There are more than 130 Peace Corps Volunteers in Lesotho working with their communities on projects in education and health. During their service in Lesotho, Volunteers learn to speak Sesotho. More than 2,480 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Lesotho since the program was established in 1967.

Education Volunteers work to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Lesotho. They serve as math teachers in secondary and high schools and as English teachers in primary schools. In addition to planning and facilitating classes they help monitor and assess student performance. And through communities of practice they exchange ideas and teaching techniques with their fellow counterparts to enhance the quality of teaching in the schools they serve.

HIV prevention for youth remains vital in Lesotho and it is with this in mind that the Healthy Youth project was developed. Volunteers work to increase HIV/AIDS education and life skills for young people ages 10-24.