In Lesotho, boys as young as five head out onto the rugged mountains to become shepherds.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
In Lesotho, boys as young as five head out onto the rugged mountains to become shepherds.
Courtesy Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The young herd boys spend months, sometimes years, away from their families, tending cattle and sheep in the isolation of Lesotho's mountains.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
The young herd boys spend months, sometimes years, away from their families, tending cattle and sheep in the isolation of Lesotho's mountains.
CNN
During winter time, temperatures on the mountains can drop down to -4˚F (-20˚C). The herd boys' clothes are not always enough to protect them against the cold winds.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
During winter time, temperatures on the mountains can drop down to -4˚F (-20˚C). The herd boys' clothes are not always enough to protect them against the cold winds.
Courtesy Chris Jackson/Getty Images
"The most challenging task is going to the field. That's what I find to be most difficult," says 17-year-old shepherd Thuso Leeto.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
"The most challenging task is going to the field. That's what I find to be most difficult," says 17-year-old shepherd Thuso Leeto.
CNN
For one year's work in the rough highlands, the shepherds receive one cow or 12 sheep.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
For one year's work in the rough highlands, the shepherds receive one cow or 12 sheep.
Courtesy Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images
Life on the mountains is both mentally and physically challenging. A lot of the shepherds form bonds with their only companions, the animals.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
Life on the mountains is both mentally and physically challenging. A lot of the shepherds form bonds with their only companions, the animals.
CNN
Prince Seeiso, younger brother of Lesotho's King, has co-founded a charity called <a href="http://sentebale.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sentebale</a> together with Britain's Prince Harry. The aim is to help support some of Lesotho's most vulnerable children, the herd boys included.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
Prince Seeiso, younger brother of Lesotho's King, has co-founded a charity called Sentebale together with Britain's Prince Harry. The aim is to help support some of Lesotho's most vulnerable children, the herd boys included.
Courtesy Chris Jackson/Getty Images
An estimated third of Lesotho's school-aged boys are shepherds. It often deprives them of an education, but <a href="http://sentebale.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sentebale</a> has set up night schools for the herd boys. Here, they can socialize and learn math, English and Lesotho's language, Sesotho. But they also learn about HIV/AIDS.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
An estimated third of Lesotho's school-aged boys are shepherds. It often deprives them of an education, but Sentebale has set up night schools for the herd boys. Here, they can socialize and learn math, English and Lesotho's language, Sesotho. But they also learn about HIV/AIDS.
CNN
Former shepherd Julius Mojoro, pictured, has been a teacher for five years. "Education is their need. They need love. They want to socialize. And only here at school is where they get what they need," Majoro says.
Lesotho's young shepherds —
Former shepherd Julius Mojoro, pictured, has been a teacher for five years. "Education is their need. They need love. They want to socialize. And only here at school is where they get what they need," Majoro says.
CNN