It’s Thanksgiving in America and Prince Hot Harry is not American but today he was in Lesotho doing what many in America are doing: giving back.
Harry was there to open a centre for children living with HIV and AIDS in Africa. In 2004, while on a visit to Lesotho, Harry met a 4 year old boy called Mutsu Potsane, an orphan. At the time, Mutsu became pretty attached to Harry because – you’re about to start sobbing – Harry was nice to him, wanted to talk to him, and little Mutsu wasn’t used to meeting people who gave a sh-t about his life. Here are the photos from that day:
Mutsu is 14 years old now. He participates in Harry’s Sentebale Scholarship programme. And today he and Harry were reunited. Look at this hug:
Harry hugs like his mother. He hugs like he means it. He hugs for it to last. And, obviously, Mutsu remembered. Sentebale has released a letter that Mutsu wrote to Harry last year.
The dining hall at the new centre is named Diana, Princess of Wales Hall. Harry said in his speech that losing and missing his mother is one of the reasons he feels connected to the kids that he aims to help:
“Eleven years ago I made my first visit to Lesotho, with the help of Prince Seeiso. As we travelled the country I was amazed by its raw beauty; but I was also struck by the many children I met whose lives had been shattered by the loss of a parent and in some cases both. I couldn't believe that so many children had been robbed of their childhoods by extreme poverty and the ravages of HIV and AIDS. Behind those smiles it was clear they desperately needed care, attention and above all, love.
Although our situations couldn't have been more different, I felt an overwhelming connection to many of the children I met. They were far younger than me, and of course, their situation was a great deal more challenging than my own. Nonetheless, we shared a similar feeling of loss, having a loved one, in my case a parent, snatched away so suddenly. I, like them, knew there would always be a gaping hole that could never be filled. For so many of the children in Lesotho, that situation was compounded by the harsh environment and extreme poverty they faced. At the age of just eight or nine taking on the responsibility of caring for brothers and sisters there was simply no time for being a child anymore.”
If Harry knows anything though, it’s how to play. Today they played. Click here and click here to read more about Harry’s trip.
