Prince Harry in Africa

A week after a tabloid columnist branded him "a national disgrace" for his club-hopping ways, Britain's Prince Harry, 19, showed there was more to his life than polo and parties by unveiling his charity work in Lesotho, Africa. Sporting a new 80-cent haircut from a roadside barber, Princess Diana's younger son followed in his mother's footsteps, visiting clinics, helping to build a bridge and embracing locals – including an 11-month-old rape victim. "I have seen some genuine shock and horror on his face," says Lesotho's Prince Seeiso. PEOPLE was there to capture a day with Prince Harry among the impoverished country's orphans.

WORK BEGINS

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Under 75-degree heat, Harry lugs a roll of fencing into position. "I am learning about the culture and way of life out here," he told reporters. His hope is for greater recognition that Lesotho "is a country that needs help." A palace rep says, "He has a natural sympathy for the problems people face, and he knows his status can attract attention to those."

Family Tradition

UK PRESS

Prince Harry arrives for work at the Mants'ase Children's Home near Mohale's Hoek on the back of a truck with members of a youth club. They pulled up singing a local hymn, "Peace, Peace, Beautiful Star." "He not only wants to do something for himself and learn, but he wants to make a genuine difference to people's lives," says Prince Seeiso.

Pulling Together

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The prince fastens mesh to posts, chatting with his singing colleagues. As Harry pulled the steel lines tight, Peace Corps volunteer and orphanage director Miranda Lopez, 27, of Grant's Pass, Ore., explained that "the fence is to keep our garden safe and keep the animals out."

Helping Hand

(2) Landov

Harry, whom Prince Seeiso described as "a sweet young man," brings 4-year-old Mutsu Potsane out of the orphanage to a garden, where they plant a peach tree. Crouching in the dirt, Harry instructs the boy to throw dry soil over the sapling's roots as he splashes water on the ground. "He has a similar empathy for people with problems as his mom," says a palace aide.

ROYAL EMBRACE

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Taking a breather from a rugby game at the children's home, Harry gives a youngster a cuddle. During his stay, he shared an evening braai, or barbecue, of corn meal with tomato sauce, bread and sausages, with the orphanage's 25 children, who sang for him. "He is willing to help and really seems to enjoy the children. They have taken to him," says manager Miranda Lopez.