19 Dec 2013

In line with the spirit of giving around Christmas, the American Embassy has donated a porter cabin to the Botswana Retired Nurses Society (BORNUS) in Tlokweng on Wednesday, December 18.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, American Ambassador to Botswana, Ms Michelle Gavin said such development projects were geared towards encouraging the spirit of self-reliance among local communities.

Ms Gavin said the American government understands the importance of community mobilisation to good health outcomes, citing the Ya Tsie partnership between the government and Harvard University as a true reflection of the principle.

“This project will examine whether coordinated and strengthened community-based HIV prevention intervention can prevent the spread of the virus better than the standard, individually applied intervention,” she said.

The US Ambassador said America was Botswana’s strongest development partner, as it also provides grants to smaller, community based projects.

The US embassy, she said, has provided a grant of over P180 000 to enable BORNUS to purchase and equip the centre, which would serve as the base for youth programme and granmothers’ support group.

For her part, the director of BORNUS, Ms Mavis Kewakae said the centre was established in 1999 in response to an initiative by the former president, Mr Festus Mogae to combat the HIV/AIDS scourge.

The society evolved to provide comprehensive community care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses, orphans and vulnerable children, she added. Ms Kewakae noted that BORNUS draws its expertise from a pool of experienced professional nurses and social workers.

She said the society takes care of youth between 13 and 24 year. “We also accommodate affected children between two and half and six years to offer them developmental stimulation,” she added. The society, she said, also assists children aged seven-13 years with homework and tutoring tuition through the help of retired teachers.

Ms Oratile Sekati, BORNUS youth group leader, said they meet twice monthly and have realised the vulnerability of the youth and provided a place where they could strategies, reach out and equip them with life skills.

Through partnership with the University of Botswana Debate Society, they host public speaking debates to encourage the youth to be firm leaders and good orators, she added.

One of the BORNUS youth members, Ms Tshego Nyetshane said she has benefited from the programme by acquiring life skills, self-esteem and good principles. “I believe this is a positive step for the youth, as it provides a place where we can intact with other youth and share experiences.

Help each other through peer education and social transformation empowerment projects,” said Ms Nyetshane. Psychotherapy support is also provided and she has managed to be a peer educator through Peace Corp programme and helps BORNUS when hosting events.

The society tries to provide a holistic environment for the youth through retreats and assistance from Stepping Stones which teaches them drama and theatre, and Barclays Bank Botswana has been offering life lessons in financial literacy, she said. ENDS