Tebo (16 years old) and Kaelo (14 years old), boys from our after school program, recently took part in the Global Dance Supreme Southern Africa (South Africa) competition in September.
This is after competing first locally in Mochudi with the TNT Entertainers group and then proceeding to compete at Maitisong Theatre in the national competition, securing a spot to represent Botswana in South Africa!
To fund their trip, a fundraising activity; Diversity Day was hosted at the Mochudi centre with all proceeds going to them. We also received funds and donations from the public including Sedibelo JSS and staff members of Stepping Stones International.
The two talented boys emerged victorious and earned a second place position in the Afro Styles Section of the competition. Needless to say this was their first time out of the country, travelling on a coach line bus, and they had a trip to remember!
US non-profit organisation, CEOs Of Tomorrow sent 8 students from the United States to meet and work with 8 of our participants in August. In a two-day workshop the 16 participants learnt how to facilitate global relationships, starting a social enterprise and how to successfully market and sell products.
“During this 2 day program I enhanced my communication skills and learnt how to develop and create sustainable business ideas,” said Patience, one of the participants.
At the end of the program the 16 participants designed and printed t shirts that communicated vital messages about the education system in Botswana, before selling them to the public at Main Mall, Gaborone.
We look forward to making this excursion an annual activity and building a long lasting relationship with CEOs of Tomorrow!
Live action of their visit can be seen in the video below.
The Grannies Tea Project was started with the aim of providing psychological support through an open forum for grandmothers to share their experiences and challenges in their communities and families.
They tackle issues such as teenage pregnancy, adolescent sexual behaviour, and inter-generational communication barriers to raising adolescents. To date, there are 64 Grannies in groups of four wards in Mochudi and two wards in Oodi.
In Botswana customs, elders are usually known for resolving conflicts in the family whatever issues that arise. This is the reason why in 2018 we believed it imperative to train the Grannies in the SASA methodology for Gender-Based Violence.
Fifty-seven Grannies were trained in SASA methodology for Gender-Based Violence while six of them were trained as trainers. During their training, they carried out a Community Asset Mapping exercise where they identified structures/assets that can be used in their communities to prevent Gender-Based Violence. They identified danger spots/hotspots in their communities and came up with recommendations in regard to combating GBV and ensuring child protection. The caregivers were also taught on forms of violence surrounding child protection and were capacitated as daily activists to always act when they come across GBV in their communities.
SASA methodology which means ‘now’ in Swahili also stands for Start, Awareness, Support, and Action. It is a behaviour change methodology that originates from Uganda and addresses the power imbalance between women and men, boys and girls. It also inspires and enables communities to rethink and reshape social norms.
After not doing too well in her BGCSE examinations, Rachel found herself slowly becoming part of the furniture at home. She was home for a little over a year with nothing to do and absolutely no prospects until she heard about the Finding the Leader Within program from one of our employees.
She joined the program in February 2018 and has not looked back since.
The 6-month leadership program funded by the FACET Foundation targets unemployed and out of school youth aged between 18 and 25 years old. During the program, Rachel developed her interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, CV writing skills, public speaking and ICT skills. As part of the program, she also learned how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as well as financial literacy.
Towards the end of the program, she participated in the job shadowing exercise, which is required for graduation. During her job shadowing, she worked at the Mochudi Library. At the Mochudi Library, she learned phone etiquette and how to work with children.
This experience is why when an opportunity to study for a certificate in Early Childhood emerged, she grabbed it with both hands. Rachel pursued the course for 6 months in which she passed with a Merit and is now due to start a new job as teacher at a Day Care Centre in Gaborone!
In July of 2018, two of our participants under the English Access Micro scholarship program secured themselves a spot in the Girls Fly Programme Africa, made possible by Women in Aviation Botswana.
Boipelo and Michelle had to submit an essay on aviation related topics, as well as possess clean and appealing academic records to be considered for the programme. They were then selected alongside 19 other local girls to participate in the week long program at Paramount Leadership & Adventure Camp in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The GFPA Foundation aims to empower the next generation of aviation and space leaders in Africa by shaping and developing future leaders in the STEM sphere. During the camp the girls were exposed to different aspects of the aviation industry with the goal to broaden the girls’ minds on careers they could pursue.
The camp was filled with networking and advancement opportunities which saw one of our participants gain a South African female pilot as a mentor.
Atang Setshwane, also known as a “The Warrior” in Judo circles is 1 meter 40cm tall. She has the most dazzling and friendly smile, however, when she is in competition the smile goes away and is traded with intense concentration as she eliminates her opponents.
Stepping Stones International uses exposure to sporting activities, such as judo, to encourage young people to develop balance, flexibility and channel frustrations into a positive outlet.
Atang Setshwane joined our Judo Club in 2016. At just 15 years old, she already demonstrated talent and discipline, and quickly acquired new techniques. Her hard work and dedication paid off when she brought home a silver medal from her first judo tournament in Gaborone.
Two weeks later, Atang went on to qualify for the 5th Edition of the Botswana Games in 2017. This was the first time judo was introduced to the Games. Atang reached the Botswana Games podium twice, winning silver and gold, defeating a seasoned national athlete. She was featured on BTV’s national broadcast.
Atang is well-positioned to enrol in Botswana’s National Judo Team, and potentially participate in the African Games in 2018 and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Atang’s adorable smile is deceiving. While she is sweet, she is a powerhouse on the mats.
