The Future Is in Good Hands

Back in October, 2008, when I was working as a new life skills Peace Corps volunteer in Molepolole, I joined a group of volunteers to organize a Baylor teen club in the village without actually knowing much about it. But eventually we found Hope World Wide Botswana, a local NGO (nongovernmental organization) to sponsor the club. In November, 2008, we started the teen club meetings with about five HIV positive students, referred by the Baylor doctors and a local nurse working in at the local hospital. Now in May, 2010, we have up to 25 members with the numbers still rising. So as myself and other volunteers leave, we decided to have a meeting with the Hope and the new and old volunteers.

We began by discussing our many accomplishments. Two male and female teen leaders were elected and participated in planning and implementing the monthly meetings on the first Saturday of every month between 10:30am and 2:30pm. With the adult facilitators and the teen leaders we learned how to work together as a team to meet the needs of the teen members. We planned a day at a swimming pool to teach members to swim. Another time we invited a hip hop artist to teach us to dance. One weekend a year ago, we went to a local game reserve to learn about the animals to create team work in our club, and planned many life skill activities. We learned about self-awareness by drawing an outline of each teen on the floor, floored by writing and discussing the individual’s personal qualities. Barclay’s Bank sent representatives to teach how to handle money through projects involving budgeting. We have had sessions on dating, medication adherence and ARV medication, etc. More recently we have watched and discussed videos in Setswana and English about the discrimination against those living with HIV as well as how to live positively with HIV, And with all this we have include energizers, sporting activities, lunch and crafts.

At the handover meeting, we suggested some challenges for the future as well as the way forward. For examples, in the past it has been difficult to fine time for the adults and teen leaders to meet in a timely manner to plan. We also have to work to make a smooth flow for implementing the monthly activities, knowing exactly which person is responsible to present each part of the program. In the future, it is hoped that there will be a meeting of the parents to inform them about the clubs various programs.

So as I leave Botswana in June 2010, I feel assured that the teen club will be in capable hands and continue in the near future to fill the gap that our teen members have in terms of living with HIV/AIDS and learning how to be future leaders. Both the teen leaders and the adults have a passion and commitment to lead the club forward. So I can feel assured that the group we started over a year ago will be in good hands. For more information on the Baylor teen club.
Molly Waite Peace Corps Volunteer