丨莱索托马塞卢

Sustainable Spaces for Social Impact: The Stadium Maseru, Lesotho

Location: Maseru, Lesotho

Category: education

Phase: construction preparation

The Stadium of Life and Theatre of Life are transformative spaces in Lesotho, Southern Africa. Built with sustainable materials, they go beyond sports and arts to promote social inclusion, economic growth, and environmental responsibility. By creating hubs for youth, education, and culture, we’re shaping a future where innovation and sustainability drive community development.

Project leader: Daniela Gusman

What is still needed to proceed?

Finance

Still 100% of € 81

Skills

Stuff

Hands

Support

The project

Updates (0)

What’s needed?

Introduction

Lesotho faces high youth unemployment, limited public spaces, and a lack of sustainable infrastructure. The Stadium of Life and Theatre of Life were initiated to address these challenges through participatory design and numerous public consultations and community engagements. The project will create inclusive, multifunctional spaces that empower communities.

The Stadium of Life, Africa’s first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber stadium, promotes sustainable construction while serving as a hub for sports, education, and social engagement. Developed with the non-profit social enterprise Kick4Life (K4L), it fosters youth development, gender equality, and economic opportunities through sport as a tool for social change.

The Theatre of Life responds to the urgent need for cultural and creative spaces. Designed to nurture local talent and storytelling, it will provide a platform for artistic expression, education, and community gatherings.

Both projects prioritize sustainable materials, innovative techniques, and local participation. By integrating environmental responsibility with social impact, they create long - term benefits, fostering resilience and growth in Lesotho.

Impact

The Stadium of Life is designed to support and promote the long - term development of the local community in Lesotho, creating lasting social, economic, and environmental impact.

It will provide a safe, inclusive, and aspirational space for Kick4Life’s award - winning Football for Good programmes, which use sport to engage vulnerable children and youth in health education, life - skills development, gender empowerment, climate education, employability, and entrepreneurship training.

The stadium will also strengthen Kick4Life’s social enterprise model, supporting income generation and enabling the scaling of community programmes. It will create employment and training opportunities in areas such as administration, finance, groundskeeping, and security.

Over the next five years, the Stadium of Life aims to achieve the following impact:

Quantitative Targets:

2,500 children and young people regularly engaged in programming

100 young leaders trained as life - skills coaches

25 new jobs created

Qualitative Outcomes:

Improved community health and increased confidence in managing personal wellbeing

More positive attitudes toward the role of women and girls in society

Enhanced career prospects and pathways to sustainable livelihoods

Greater community motivation to promote environmental sustainability and livability

Impact will be monitored through attendance records, surveys, focus groups, and case studies, ensuring the Stadium of Life becomes a long - term hub of opportunity and transformation.

Core team

The Stadium of Life and Theatre of Life are the result of a dynamic collaboration between non-profit social enterprises rise International and Kick4Life, alongside global sustainability partners.

These landmark projects unite architects, engineers, local artisans, volunteers, and community leaders committed to innovative, impact-driven design.

Key Team Members:

Reitumetse Nthako (Country Director, rise International) – Leads overall strategy and stakeholder engagement

Thato Nkikana (Project & Construction Manager, rise International) – Oversees design execution and materials sourcing

Keketso Sula (Site Manager, rise International) – Leads construction crews and ensures community involvement

Luca Astorri & Pedro Clarke – Lead architects of the Stadium of Life, designed in collaboration with 10 in loco fellows

Park Associati – Milan-based architecture firm behind the design of the Theatre of Life

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – Certification body ensuring the project uses sustainably sourced materials

DNV – FSC-accredited third-party certifier auditing the project for FSC certification

Kick4Life Team – Delivers life-changing sport-based programmes to youth

Community Involvement & Support:

Local builders, artisans, and young people have been actively involved in construction and programming. Volunteers from Lesotho, Germany, Spain, and Italy have contributed through design, skills-sharing, and advocacy.

rise International | Kick4Life

Image gallery

Stadium of Life and Theater of Life

image: rise International | © all rights reserved

Kick4Life academy players image: Kick4Life | © all rights reserved

Life Skills Coaching

image: Kick4Life | © all rights reserved

Indigenous Plants on the Theater of Life

image: Kick4Life | © all rights reserved

The aerial view of Stadium of Life

image: rise International | © all rights reserved

Technical drawings

Changing rooms designs image: rise International | © all rights reserved

Changing rooms & Toilets at Stadium of Life

image: rise International | © all rights reserved

Help bring our project to life!

Finance: Still 100% of € 81

There are no updates yet.

Help bring our project to life!

Finance: Still 100% of € 81

Where are we now

The Stadium of Life construction is completed and the Biodiversity Stand is nearing completion, showcasing our commitment to sustainable building. We already have 3 x 12m shipping containers in place with the majority of the designs completed. The main remaining milestone is to raise the funds needed for the conversion of the 3 containers into toilets, showers, and changing rooms, which will make the stadium fully functional and inclusive.

An indication of our team’s capacity:

75% expertise already found

50% materials / equipment already found

100% builders already found

Finance: € 81

The funding will enable the conversion of 3 existing shipping containers into toilets, showers, and changing rooms, making the Stadium of Life fully functional, inclusive, and event-ready. This essential infrastructure will allow the stadium to host local and international matches, youth leagues, and gender-inclusive programs, creating employment, boosting local pride, and supporting community health and dignity.

Your support will help activate this sustainable space as a true hub for social impact and opportunity in Lesotho.

Container refurbishment 14

Plumbing Installation 10

Electrical Works 7

Toilet Showers and Features 10

Changing Room Fit out 10

Sustainable Materials 7

Accessibility Features 3

Labor Cost 7

Security 3

Contingency 3

Project Management and Admin 7

Help bring our project to life!

Finance: Still 100% of € 81

Location