Botswana
FACET partners with Stepping Stones International
The FACET Foundation is excited to announce its partnership with Stepping Stones International to build a Graff Leadership Centre in Mochudi, Kgatleng District, Botswana.
This development ties in with Graff’s policy of giving back to all communities in which the company has operations. The Graff Leadership Centre in Mochudi is particularly close to FACET’s cause as Graff’s local company Safdico has sourced some of its finest rough diamonds in Botswana.
The Graff Leadership Centre will build on the foundation of Stepping Stones International’s model and significantly increase the access and outreach of services by providing additional qualified human resource support, training and services. The Centre will also host computer and leadership training, job and life skills, tutoring and income generating activities. A special emphasis on ensuring the quality of instructors, leaders and youth mentors is of utmost importance.
The Leadership Centre has the potential to directly benefit more than 510 orphans, vulnerable children (60% girls), youth and their caregivers (primarily aunts and uncle) and community stakeholders with outreach to 6500 youth in schools, grandmothers and community leaders.
The Centre will also play host and develop the “Finding the Leader Within” programme, a groundbreaking programme that aims to empower youth, primarily those who are orphaned and vulnerable with a special focus on girls and their caregivers, to attain employment, sustain a high quality of life and become productive members of society.
The core values of Stepping Stones International are Self-Expression, Respect, Community Support, Education and Accountability and are shared by The FACET Foundation.
About Stepping Stones International
Stepping Stones International began operating in 2006 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a supportive environment through innovative educational and psychological support programmes for vulnerable children and orphans aged 12-18 in Botswana.
Stepping Stones International’s mission is “to unlock the potential of adolescent orphans and vulnerable children by nurturing their mental, physical and emotional well-being and development, and creating realizable opportunities for them to be self-sufficient”. The mission supports Stepping Stones International’s vision “to be the recognized leader in the development of adolescent orphans and vulnerable children by offering the most creative, goal-orientated and participative programme in collaboration with critical stakeholders”.
The Stepping Stones International programme includes peer education, tutored study, confidence and self-esteem building, goal setting, psychosocial support, life and job skills training, expression through art, drama, poetry, music, sports and play, income generating activities, advocacy and community mobilization. The programme was designed with input from community members, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education and the District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committee. In addition, Stepping Stones International conducted a literature review in the region and a needs assessment, interviewing caregivers and youth in the district, which influenced the program design.
The difficult circumstances endured by orphaned and vulnerable adolescents, coupled with Stepping Stones International’s innovative and life-changing programmes, have necessitated the need to expand and offer more services to those most at risk.
Why Botswana
Situation in Botswana
Botswana has one of the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rates in the world, with one in every 4-5 people living with the virus. An astonishing 34.7% HIV prevalence rate for adults between the ages of 25.49 presented in the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey of 2008 means that the number of children orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS continues to soar at an unprecedented rate. It is estimated that more than 16 out of every 100 children in Botswana under the age of 18 are orphaned and most are vulnerable. As a result, many children, especially girls, have become caregivers, increasing the likelihood that they lose focus on education, obtain inadequate health care, and are not protected from sexual exploitation and abuse. These issues hinder young people’s ability to express their opinions and feelings, preventing them from coping with their experiences and progressing in life.
Challenges of Finding the Leader Within
The challenges that orphaned and vulnerable adolescents face such as peer pressure, and negotiating relationships are compounded by the following:
Families
The caregivers, the majority being grandmothers, aunts, older sisters or cousins struggle to provide support to adolescents due to economic strain on the family and have minimal parenting skills, particularly those needed to raise an adolescent let alone an orphaned vulnerable child (OVC). Within the family structure the adolescents are not free to express themselves and discipline presents itself in the form of beatings, chores and missed meals. Youth are deprived of the right to a loving and supportive family environment, which is crucial for development of positive self-identity and self-esteem.
School system
In schools, students learn to memorize rather than comprehend the information and there is minimal room for questions of clarification or personal interpretation. This impedes the ability to problem solve and analyze information. Creative study skills, and varied learning styles are not incorporated in the curriculum and the school system does not have provisions for special needs students or those who require extra assistance. Government schools in Botswana have scarce resources and provide limited opportunities for youth to explore and develop. In today’s world computer skills are essential and yet most youths attempting to enter the job market or apply to higher education institutions do not have the skills to compete.
Individuals
In addition to dealing with the daily struggles of adolescence such as peer pressure, puberty and navigating relationships, the impact of HIV and AIDS has compounded their challenges. In focus group discussions conducted with Stepping Stones International in 2008, youth stated that their parents/caregivers’ confidence in and love for them was lacking in families. With inadequate direction from parents to move towards independence, OVC adolescents often become trapped products of their environment. In order for them to move beyond their circumstances, they need to become empowered to be responsible, formulate decisions, respect their bodies, express their feelings and think for themselves.
It is therefore critical to provide a safe and supportive environment with access to qualified staff to enhance positive development of orphaned and vulnerable adolescents. The investment made in psychosocial support for these youth will allow them to confidently take advantage and maximize leadership opportunities.