NO MORE TEENAGE

PREGNANCYCAMPAIGN

Name of Project: NO MORE TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Project Location: Tutume Sub district

In November 2013, we organised a leadership workshop for youth. Youth were asked to list problems they faced in the camp. Teenage pregnancy was among the problems identified. That was the beginning of the NO MORE TEENAGE PREGNANCY campaign. In order to make us work hard to achieve the results, we took a bold step to aimto achieve ZERO teenage pregnancy also took a bold step to make the youth to own the project. As we werecommitted, we knew teenage pregnancy would decrease but we never thought that it would be possible to reach ZERO teenage pregnancy.

The heart of the NO MORE TEENAGE PREGNANCY campaign is that all registered youth in the campaign must “pledge not to have children during their teenage years.” The youth decide how (at individual level and/or as boyfriends and girlfriends) they will prevent teenage pregnancy and are not forced to share their decisions.

Since the beginning of the campaign 2,200 young people from Dukwi refugee camp, primary school and Junior secondary school at Dukwi village, Nata junior and secondary schools, junior secondary school at Sebina village and senior secondary school at Tutume have pledged and all kept the promise. Therefore, the campaign has achieved 100 percent of the intended goal as there has been ZERO teen-age pregnancies among the ones who pledged.

On behalf of Skillshare International Botswana, I would like to sincerely thank the American Embassy in Botswana for being with us since the journey started to this day. We could not even have reached a quarter of our goal, have they not have been this generous. They funded the activities 100% since its inception.

The future of the campaign is to replicate it to the entire Tutume sub district and later nationwide prioritis-ing the schools with highest teenage pregnancies. We plan to work with the Ministry of Basic Education and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Teenage pregnancy is a one world problem. Please be part of the fight against it. You can donate, participate and/or do what best suits you.

Kind Regards,

Tiny Healy.

DIRECTOR’S FOREWORD

POWERED BY |

We started working at Dukwi Refugee Camp at the beginning of 2011 covering livelhoods and education. During then, 3 girls had dropped out of school due to pregnancy. The following year the number increased to 5. Each year the number increased. By end of 2013, the girls who had fallen pregnant were 15. Although Sexual Reproductive Health was not our mandate at the camp, it was not easy to ignore the problem as through education, young people were amongour beneficiaries.

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NO MORE TEENAGE PREGNANCY campaign started in November 2015 as a result of a leadership training workshop for young people a Dukwi refugee camp. The workshop was organised by Skillshare International Botswana. The young people expressed their concern with regard to teenage pregnancy. As a result, the young people agreed to prevent pregnancy by girls pledging not to fall pregnant and boys not impregnate girls. The campaign target 13 – 25 years youth. It was replicated to Dukwi village, Nata, Tutume and Sebina. Between 2014 and 2017, about 2,200 young people had pledged and no pregnancy had been recorded among the girls who participated. The campaign has been supported by the American Embassy since inception.

The project benefits: Refugee children, refugee youth, refugee parents, Tutume sub district youths.

• From the 2,200 youth that pledged, there has been no pregnancy.• A youth council was established in 2015 with the aim to be the voice of the youth between community and parents during discussions.• Through the youth council, the youth takes charge of the campaign activities.• The campaign has received great community support.

o Pledgeso Peer to peer education at secondary schools.o Girls Chato Karate and boxingo Marathono Girls and Boys Soccero Talent Showo Ted talko Parents’ workshopso Child protection workshopso Excursionso HIV and AIDS awareness activities.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

PROJECT ACTIVITY PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

KEY RESULT

POWERED BY |

NO MORETEENAGE

PREGNANCY CAMPAIGN

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POWERED BY |

PLEDGES from the youth council

“I pledge not to impregnant any teenagegirl until i am resposible enough until i am mature to support the child” - Bwendo Dickson Nosiku

“Never to impregnant any girl until i and that girl are fully mature. - Stephen Moyo

“ i Likezo Sizuka promise not to fall pregnant until the right time comes, and follow my dreams”

“I Purity Ntonda the Youth Council Chairperson promise and pledge not to fall pregnant until I am finucialy stable and matured enough to be accountable for my actions.”

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POWERED BY |

Dukwi refugee camp is situated along the A3 road, a busy highway with big carriage truck travelling between South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dukwi is one of the resting place where in one night there can be 40 trucks parked by the roadside. The influx of trucks has attracted females including teenagers in search of cash.

The refugees are hosted by the Botswana Government in a bilateral agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR). The Govern-ment provide health, protection and security as well as basic education. UNHCR provides food ration and nonfood items (NFI) such as paraffin for fuel, utensils, blankets, etc. Skillshare International Botswana started working at Dukwi refugee camp in 2011 as an implementing partner. Five girls had dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy in 2011. Every year, the number increased. By 2013, the recorded number of pregnancies had increased to 15. The refugees are not allowed to work, have no access to tertiary education, nor are they allowed to move freely in the country which leads to girls having being engaged in sexual activities for sustenance.

Skillshare International Botswana was registered as a charitable non-Govern-ment organisation (NGO) in 2011. Trust. It is governed by a Board of 12 members. The Secretariat is lead by a Director stationed at Gaborone with a few support staff. The majority of the staff is at Dukwi. Among others, Skillshare works in the area of Child Protection and Youth Development in which NO MORE TEENAGE PREGNANCY campaign falls. Although led by the youth, the campaign is sup-ported by a Community Support Officer who is responsible for the youth council.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

ABOUT SKILLSHARE INTERNATIONAL BOTSWANA

PLACE

NO MORETEENAGE

PREGNANCY CAMPAIGN

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SOME OF THE PICTURES OF THE ACTIVITIES

SOME MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL WEARINGTHEIR NO MORE TEENAGE PREGNANCY CAMPAIGN BRAND

Youth council team building at Sua Town YOUTH COUNCIL WITH THE THEN

MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION ( UNITY DOW)

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ATTRACTING YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES

AIDS CANDLELIGHT MESSAGES

Youth council exercusion trip at elephants sands

Picnic at Mosetse river to attract the youth to participate in the NO MORE TEENAGE PREGNANCY campaign

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CONTACTS

Skillshare International Botswana website: www.skillsharebots.org

GABORONE OFFICE, PLOT 257, MOLEFI CLOSE EXTENSION 5

Tel : +267 3952284 Email: info@skillsharebots.org

CONTACT PERSON Phemo Morapedi

NO MORETEENAGE

PREGNANCY CAMPAIGN