29 May 2016

Stepping Stones International (SSI) has appealed to the business community to play part in contributing to initiatives geared at empowering the youth in particular the organisation’s youth leadership programme.

Ms Kesaolopa Motswagole SSI senior programme officer said at a consultative meeting with some business fraternity in Gaborone that the youth leadership programme was meant to empower youth to help them become self-sufficient and develop them into recognised individuals in their societies.

She said their wish was for the business fraternity to induct their participants either through internship or job shadowing adding that their participants stood a better chance to be mentored and trained to achieve their aspirations.

She explained that SSI selected and worked with youth that were within the age range of 16 to 25 years who have been subjected to different social challenges.

 Such youth, she noted, often needed psycho social support and they have made it their responsibility as SSI to assist them by ensuring that their lives were on the right track.

She also said though their centre was based in Mochudi, they admit all children or youth around the country.

“We work with children from different backgrounds, and I must highlight that we have a lot of angry youth out there with a lot of negative approach to life,” she said.

Ms Motswagole added that by doing so they have to motivate them and provide means of making them believe in their potential adding that this can only be achieved through funding.

She further said the program, which dates back to 2011 started with an intake of 40 participants while the intention was to double this year’s intake to 80.

“More than 70 per cent of participant have graduated from the program, a testimony of positive response. Some companies who have been on board are also praising us for the good work done,” she said.

Mr Moemedi Mathibe owner of a games room business and a consultative company in Mochudi, a product of the youth leadership programme expressed gratitude for the opportunity SSI gave him.

Mr Mathibe said there were a lot of challenges that some youth faced and thus pleaded. Ends