TeachAIDS interactive CD launched on World AIDS Day 2011

Prevention of HIV: It Begins with Me – Jazzelle * Scar * Tref * Zeus lend their voices to HIV & AIDS Education More than 300 youth in the community of Mochudi, Kgatleng District joined in the celebration of the TeachAIDS video in Botswana on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2011. The production, testing and [...]
Stepping Stones International in partnership with FACET Foundation launches the Graff Leadership Centre

“Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult,” Stepping Stones International founder, Lisa Jamu, borrowed the words of Warren Bennis during the official opening of the centre in Mochudi. On Tuesday October 11th, 2011 Stepping Stones International (SSI) welcomed community partners and supporters to [...]
Yewande Austin and her “Soldiers for Change”

Yewande Austin inspires SSI youth through music to become leaders for change in their community! Stepping Stones International was proud to be invited by the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone to participate in the Youth Leadership Program from July 25 – 30, 2011, with renowned international musician and inspirational speaker, Yewande Austin. Yewande conducted a five-day [...]
Two Young Women on the Move

Michelle Obama invites two SSI participants and their mentors to the Women’s Leadership Luncheon at Sanitas Tea Garden in Gaborone. Michelle Obama’s recent visit to Botswana was more than just a diplomatic nicety for Goitsemodimo Monowe and Tshepiso Kgatwane, two Stepping Stones International participants. The First Lady of the United States made a lasting impression [...]
Once in a Lifetime

When Rebecca, Warona, and Lerato decided to form a company with several other Stepping Stones caregivers over a year ago, they never dreamed their handmade goods would reach the White House. The United Ladies is a small enterprise that makes traditional Botswana dresses and jewelry from recycled materials to earn an income and support their [...]
Kids are Kids

It’s easy to imagine that American kids growing up in the White House and Batswana kids from Mochudi might not have a lot in common. You would be surprised. As it turns out, kids are kids, anywhere in the world. Four teenagers from Stepping Stones International recently had the opportunity to get to know Malia [...]
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne Visits Stepping Stones International

Stepping Stones International was honoured to host our first Royal visitor on Tuesday July 5, 2011. Stepping Stones International took great pleasure in welcoming their first Royal visitor, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, to the center in Mochudi on July 5th, 2011. Upon Her Royal Highness’ arrival, she was greeted by Lisa Jamu, Managing Director [...]

About SSI

Stepping Stones International’s first program was implemented in Mochudi, Kgatleng District, Botswana. We provide an after school program for youth ages 12-18+, with outreach to the families and the community. The program was designed with input from community members, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education and the District Multi-sectoral AIDS Committee. In addition, Stepping [...]

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Meet the Youth

Get to know the Stepping Stones participants! 100 youth (ages 12-18+ of whom 53% are girls and 47% boys) are currently enrolled in the program. They come from diverse backgrounds, and have a wide range of interests. Stepping Stones International encourages our youth to explore their interests to discover their own potential. Upon enrollment, participants [...]

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Donate

Stepping Stones International needs your support to sustain its high-quality, innovative programming. You can quickly and easily make an online donation now, through Justgive.org, a secure and trusted website. Your donation directly assists orphans and vulnerable youth in a variety of ways. Your contribution of $50 can purchase a new backpack, stocked with school supplies [...]

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Stepping Stones International’s Footprints

Stepping Stones International is an innovative after school and community outreach program serving orphaned and vulnerable adolescents (ages 12-18+) and their caregivers. The program is unique, as the only initiative in Botswana that focuses exclusively on the underserved needs of teenagers. SSI works with local school counselors to identify teens who under-perform academically, have lost one or both parents, have experienced abuse at home, and or their basic needs are unmet. SSI uses a holistic program model, which combines life skills, leadership, psychosocial support and community mobilization to enable youth to heal the scars of the past, reconnect with their lost childhood, while growing into self-sufficient young adults.

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Programmes

Leadership

The aim of Stepping Stones International’s “Finding the Leader Within” program is for youth to become self-sufficient leaders in their communities. The “Finding the Leader Within” program, supported in Partnership with FACET Foundation, provides youth with: Entrepreneurship Skills In addition to the income generation projects, some of SSI’s participants are using the skills and profits [...]

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Life Skills

Stepping Stones recognizes the life of an adolescent can be rife with challenges. We provide youth with the essential skills to cope with whatever life deals them. Our Life Skills Programming offers our youth: Academic support Every SSI participant receives help with homework from our specialized tutors, as well as study skills and exam preparation [...]

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Community

SSI believes that community ownership is essential to the sustainability of our program. Our Community Mobilization program includes: Income-generation activities (IGA) In addition to the youth income generation program, SSI has also facilitated the establishment of The United Ladies caregivers group. Five caregivers have worked in partnership to develop business skills to make and sell [...]

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Psychosocial

SSI understands that our youth participants require support to express their inner feelings, and channel their repressed emotions into positive creative outlets and overcome adversity. Our Psychosocial Support Program offers youth: Psychological counselling SSI provides both individual and group counseling and mentoring for youth every day. Coaching and goal-setting All of SSI’s program staff work with [...]

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