12 Jul 2016

Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) in collaboration with Francistown District Health Management Team (DHMT) and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) have embarked on a training life skills workshop with the objective to instil live skills among beneficiaries of Botswana National Service Programme and Graduate Voluntary Scheme (BNSP/GVS) in Francistown.

Speaking during the workshop held at civic centre on Monday, youth district coordinator Ms Minkie Bokole said their aim is to foster positive behaviour among the Tirelo Sechaba young people and instil a sense of responsibility and accountability.

Ms Bokole explained that they will continue ensuring that there is transformity in the lives of youth through various government programmes.

She noted that it is expected that having gone through the BNSP and GVS young people will have positive work ethics and attitude that would enable them to make a difference in their own lives.

Ms Bokole said the workshop   would also provide lifelong skills for participants, develop good work ethics, as well as inculcate disciple, commitment, good behaviour responsibility, and accountability among Tirelo Sechaba participants. 

She encouraged them to interact and socialise with each other through the entire workshop.

For his part, Chaplain Major Tshepho Scotch stimulated participants to have a deeper knowledge and to have ability on what they do.

He explained in depth on resilience topic to the participants so that they have the ability to recover their setbacks.

 In addition he said there are areas of life where   young people would end up doing things that do not  bring peace to them, therefore urged them to be strong.

Furthermore he urged the participants to explore their skills and abilities and be patriotic to their nations.

Chaplain Major Scotch stated that knowledge is power and said the trend and demand of this world needs a knowledge person, hence they were encouraged to have a deeper knowledge.

Meanwhile the DHMT youth empowerment officer Mr Aldrin Majaye said the most important means of combating a disease that has no cure is to prevent new transmissions. 

He expressed a concern that in a country where the population is infected with HIV or AIDS, it is extremely important that people, particularly the youth, avoid risky behaviour. 

Mr Majaye said while the ABC message of prevention (Abstain, Be faithful, and use Condoms) has been widely disseminated, this impersonal message has not been shown to have a significant effect on behaviour.

He also advised young people to be smart and take care of themselves  by staying away from alcohol and drug abuse. ENDS