The task of making a group of 700 kids fall silent is not an easy one, but Steve Hamilton manages to do just that with his story. His life has been nearly destroyed by drug and alcohol abuse, leading him to imprisonment, hospitalization, and close to death on several occasions. Steve Hamilton now finds redemption in sharing his message with kids who are at pivotal points in their lives and making similar choices to the ones that Steve made as a young boy.

Since the 1990s, Hamilton has been addressing schools in South Africa, and more recently in Botswana, Namibia, and Swaziland. He brings to life the pain and suffering of alcohol and drug addiction, and exposes the links between drugs, alcohol, and HIV/AIDS, violence and crime. He proposes that it's not the kids already using drugs and alcohol that he's trying to reach, but rather those who are resisting the urge to start using. He aims to empower these kids so that they in turn will empower others to make good choices about their health and well-being, for the good of their future and that of their countries.

Thanks to the help of Air Botswana, Hamilton has been able to share his powerful message with the children of Botswana. Air Botswana has generously paid for his flights to and from Botswana. Kabelano has also been instrumental in bringing Hamilton to Botswana by financing his visits to eight schools in Gaborone, Francistown, and most recently Mochudi. The Gaborone Sun Hotel has been generous as well, giving Hamilton a place to stay whenever he visits Botswana. Since his first visit to Botswana, Hamilton has presented to over 10,000 children, a feat that wouldn't be possible without the help of these donors.

Lisa Jamu, founder and managing director of Stepping Stones International, a program serving adolescent orphans and vulnerable children in Mochudi, recently heard about Steve Hamilton's mission and was immediately interested. Jamu saw firsthand the need for children in the Mochudi area to be addressed regarding drug and alcohol abuse, and also saw an opportunity to give teachers and caregivers a better understanding of these issues. Through the help of Riders of the Storm, a program run by Rusette Auton who manages Hamilton's bookings in Botswana, Stepping Stones International was able to arrange for these groups to be reached. During the first week of July, Steve Hamilton gave presentations at Linchwe II Junior Secondary School and Molefi Senior Secondary School, reaching approximately 1,000 kids. In addition he met with about 25 teachers, caregivers, and staff from schools in Mochudi and Stepping Stones International to discuss ways of addressing youth facing drug and alcohol use and abuse.

Steve Hamilton's journey has been long and hard, but he has touched the lives of many who are in great need of hearing his message. With the help of Air Botswana, the Gaborone Sun, Kabelano, Riders of the Storm, and Stepping Stones International, his words are being heard throughout Botswana and will continue to make their impact for years to come. As one student wrote to Steve in a letter, "I want you to keep on advising people because I've found out that most of my schoolmates have improved. I wish you can visit other schools in Botswana so that we can all know the danger of drugs."

For further information on how you can help contribute to Steve Hamilton's campaign against drug and alcohol abuse in Botswana, please contact Rusette Auton at +267 71320403.

To learn more about or contribute to Stepping Stones International please contact Lisa Jamu at +267 3939943.

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