24 Nov 2013

Botswana National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support (BNAPS) has assisted a total of 1 112 children residing in villages under the Palapye Administrative Authority since its inception.

The main objective of the project was to provide recreational activities and disseminate HIV/AIDS information to children aged 6 to 18 years. The project was done in partnership with the World Bank to assist government to increase coverage, efficiency and sustainability of targeted HIV/AIDS prevention interventions through strengthening the National AIDS Coordinating Agency’s capacity.

Responding to a BOPA questionnaire, the administrative authority’s assistant council secretary,  Mr Goloswang Ramogala said a total of 1 112 children and 696 parents benefited from the programme.

The project was piloted in Palapye in 2011 targeting children aged between 6 and 18 years and their families after the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development embarked on preventative projects in 2008.

He said the programme was further spread to cover other villages under the Palapye Administrative Authority in July such as Lerala, Topisi, Moreomabele, Mogome, Mokgware and Radisele.

The project, he said, entailed weekend retreats, which target children aged six to nine years, two weeks of psychosocial camps, which target children aged 10-14 years and 15-18 years as well as home visits to make follow ups on children enrolled in the programme and their families.

The project is run by the departments of social services through social welfare and community development in the selected councils. The programme, Mr Ramogala said, was aimed at sensitising children and their families on HIV/AIDS prevention, providing psychosocial support to children in difficult circumstances and their families as well as equipping parents with parenting skills.

The project was also aimed at equipping children with practical life skills to assist them face daily challenges. After graduation, Mr Ramogala said children enrolled in the programme were expected to make healthy choices in life and also assist those who may be experiencing similar challenges such as their peers at school and in the community.

Parents on the other hand were expected to implement plans made at the parenting workshops and support one another through networks created at the workshops and also help other parents who were not part of the training. However, Mr Ramogala decried shortage of transport as one factor that mainly impedes the implementation of the programme. ENDS