01 Dec 2019

Bana Ba Letsatsi recently launched a youth community outreach programme on adolescent sexual reproductive health services.

The outreach programme is in response to the high statistics of teenage pregnancy recorded by the Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT).

According to DHMT statistics, teenage pregnancy in Maun and surrounding areas stands between 12.8 and 14 per cent, hence Bana Ba Letsatsi launched the outreach programme to sensitise young people on issues of teenage pregnancy as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

Speaking during the launch, an official from Bana Ba Letsatsi, Ms Lorato Dikole said the main objective of the outreach was to educate teenagers and empower them to make smart decisions about their sexual lives. 

She said it was important to encourage them to fully utilise available services offered at health centres.

The outreach programme, she said, focused on both in and out of school youth between the ages of 12 and 26 years. 

Ms Dikole said they saw it beneficial to spread awareness  message and educate adolescents on issues that affected them  by bringing services and information closer to make them easily accessible. 

“Apart from the community outreach, Bana Ba Letsatsi also educates pupils in various schools in and around Maun through peer education clubs,” she said.

These programmes, she said, were intended to make youth aware of the suitable centres for issues of alcohol abuse and those pertaining to sexual reproductive health.

The outreach programme will end in March 2020 and the proposed areas of coverage include Botshabelo/Shashe, Disana and Boseja wards. 

Bana Ba Letsatsi is a non-governmental organisation that provides support, guidance and hope for the growing numbers of vulnerable children in Maun. 

The organisation has been fundamental in bringing stability to a number of children in Maun, providing basic material needs such as clothes, shoes and meals, as well as ensuring that they have access to emotional support. Ends