Empowering Women with Disabilities in Lesotho
Since her Fellowship, Refiloehape Sesinyi hasn’t just empowered other people with disabilities in her community – she’s also empowering herself.
In Lesotho, where the socio-economic inequalities for people with disabilities remain a pressing concern, according to the United Nations, Refiloehape “Fifi” Sesinyi stands at the forefront of change. As an advocate for the rights and inclusion of women with disabilities, the Fellowship empowered her with new skills that reshaped her approach to advocacy and community engagement, leading to new opportunities for her and her community. Before her participation in the Fellowship, Refiloehape was already involved in volunteering efforts aimed at empowering women with disabilities. However, her involvement in the Fellowship program opened new doors in her professional journey.
Before her participation in the Fellowship, Refiloehape was already involved in volunteering efforts aimed at empowering women with disabilities. However, her involvement in the Fellowship program opened new doors in her professional journey.
If I did not have the PDE opportunity, I would likely not be independent on a number of things. Now, I am well-capacitated, confident, and independent. Above all, I am now able to assist other individuals with mobility challenges.”
Refiloehape Sesinyi, 2023 Fellowship Alumna, Lesotho
From Isolation to Empowerment
After losing her vision as a teenager, Refiloehape struggled with feelings of isolation and marginalization. In 2023, she was selected for and participated in a Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, and later a Professional Development Experience (PDE) at Austin Lighthouse for the Blind in Austin, Texas.
Refiloehape’s personal and professional journeys took a pivotal turn during her PDE, and, reflecting on her experience, she describes it as “the most wonderful experience of my life.” There is only one rehabilitation center for the Blind in Lesotho, which Refiloehape was unable to visit after completely losing her vision. Austin Lighthouse provided Refiloehape with more than just professional development opportunities — it offered her strategies for independent living and, with that, the sense of belonging and equality that she had long yearned for.
During her PDE, Refiloehape excelled in many aspects of the experience, from mastering assistive technology to creating accessible exams for other people with blindness. Yet, it was the daily interactions and support from the Austin Lighthouse community that left the most profound impact on her. Through her experience, Refiloehape gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by the Deaf-Blind community, and available solutions, further fueling her passion for advocacy upon her return to Lesotho. Refiloehape shared, “If I did not have the PDE opportunity, I would likely not be independent on a number of things. Now, I am well-capacitated, confident, and independent. Above all, I am now able to assist other individuals with mobility challenges.”
Building Bridges for the Deaf-Blind Community
Since her return to Lesotho, Refiloehape has been steadfast in her commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities. While she initially focused on women and girls, Refiloehape’s experience has led her to adopt a more inclusive approach, recognizing the importance of addressing the needs of all individuals within the disability community in Lesotho.
Based on the work experience she gained through the Fellowship, Refiloehape started a new role as Insight Center Coordinator at the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, the charitable arm of the communications company. In this role, she focuses on providing support and assistance to Deaf-Blind individuals with visual impairments, leveraging technology to enhance their quality of life.
Looking Ahead to an Inclusive Future
As Refiloehape continues to make strides in her advocacy work, she remains focused on the future. One of her key goals is to establish an organization that provides employment training and opportunities to people with disabilities and a platform to share their diverse stories. Refiloehape hopes to establish employment initiatives for people with disabilities, such as bottling water in low-income parts of Lesotho. Through these initiatives, she hopes to provide meaningful employment opportunities to not only empower individuals economically but also foster a sense of independence and inclusion within society.
Refiloehape also hopes to collaborate with individuals and organizations she connected with during her time in the United States to increase the impact of her work, including her PDE Host Vince Boyd, Vice President of Mission Services at Austin Lighthouse, and Peckham, a nonprofit vocational rehabilitation center for people with disabilities that she volunteered with during her Leadership Institute in Michigan.
Boyd hopes to continue collaborating with Refiloehape as well. Of his experience as a PDE Host, Boyd shared how valuable it was to introduce new perspectives to their colleagues at Austin Lighthouse: “A lot of our employees know about Africa from TV, but this was their first time speaking directly with someone from these countries – so it was a really rewarding learning experience for us.”
Through her journey, Refiloehape exemplifies the transformative power of the Fellowship in her advocacy work and her personal achievements. Her dedication to empowering individuals with disabilities paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for everyone in Lesotho.
Written by Sydney Robinson
Next Story
Fellowship Alumni
Kenya