19 Aug 2018

Thirty-five students from Naledi Senior Secondary School have graduated from Youth Achievers Botswana (YAB) programme, a leading youth organisation that promotes initiatives and programmes for the youth in the entrepreneurship field.

Officiating at graduation ceremony on August 18, United States Embassy deputy chief of mission, Ms Kali Jones applauded YAB for working with Naledi Secondary School in identifying the 35 learners who all formed the first YAB cohort.

She said the fellowship alumni led sessions covered areas including academic achievement, life skills, health awareness, civic engagement and setting educational and professional goals.

Ms Jones highlighted that United States of America viewed youth empowerment as a cornerstone of its relationship with Africa hence saw it fitting to partner with YAB in ensuring that the youth were equipped to meet their goals and follow their dreams.

Investing in young African leaders, she said was an investment in the long-term well being of the continent, its economics, civil societies and democracies.

“Engaging youth is a priority of the United States of America’s mission in Botswana and America is committed to support Batswana in a number of programmes,” she said.

She said the EducationUSA programme supported young scholars as they learnt more about options to attend colleges and universities in the United States, adding that last year over 2 000 students attended information sessions to learn more about studying in America and representatives from 11 colleges and universities visited Botswana to recruit students.

“We celebrate the almost 300 Batswana who are currently studying in the United States, expanding their horizons and learning the value of cross-cultural cooperation,” she said.

Ms Jones applauded the commitment in the 2017 cohort of the Mandela Washington Fellowship and their dedication to improving outcomes for the students of Botswana.

She noted that YAB should be recognised as capable and determined agents of change and extended a hand of partnership and a vote of confidence to the young leaders as they worked together to spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democracy, and enhance peace and security across Africa.

Naledi Secondary School deputy school head, Mr James Ponoesele acknowledged YAB programme for its positive input in developing Naledi Secondary School students and noted that he was hopeful that the knowledge acquired from the programme would be transferred to academic empowerment.

Through the programme, he said students came out more focused and with a high self-esteem.

He explained that the 35 students who were enrolled in the programme where chosen after submitting essays of high standards. ENDS