18 Jul 2019

A resource centre aimed at enriching young people with knowledge on conservation and life skills was officially opened in Maun on July 17.

The project was a collaboration  by Junior Ranger and Future Explorers Society.

Officially opening the centre which is situated at Kgosing ward, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region Executive Chairperson, Mr Ezekiel Malenya said it would empower  young people with knowledge on wild animals and plants.

He said the centre would also keep them abreast with issues of human/wildlife conflict and co-existence with wildlife, which are critical in a tourism destination like Maun.

The resource centre, he further said would help young people with research since it would be equipped with computers and books of different subjects, especially nature.

Further, Mr Malenya said the Botswana Scouts Association had other programmes of ‘messenger of peace’, which focus on giving back to the community.

He said the Junior Ranger and Future Explorers Society project would help address the lack of reading culture in the Maun community and the country at large.

He said the scouts activities were aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Youth Explorers Society Chairperson, Mr Boletlo Pitseyagae said the organisation, formed in 2015, sensitised young people on issues that affect them such as drug and substance abuse.

Mr Pitseyagae said the resource centre would help students in research and home work.

Ms Theda Knyphausen of Junior Ranger said empowering young people on nature and conservation would bear fruits, which was why they joined hands with Future Explores Society to establish the resource centre. 

The scouts also held a litter picking event on the same day as part of ‘the duty to the country’ aspect of the mandate of scouts, as well as a blood donation drive in Maun. ENDS