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.
