SSI Newsletter -
SSI vol. 1 Jan 2010

Khama Rhino Sanctuary – Girls Empowerment Workshop
March, 2010

The first weekend of March saw an exciting new event take place! Through a collaborative effort of volunteers at Stepping Stones International and SOS Children’s Village in Francistown 5 teenage girls from SSI and 6 from SOS Children’s Village participated in a weekend-long gender empowerment retreat at Khama Rhino Sanctuary, in Serowe. Eligible girls were chosen through the submission of a short paper on the topic: “being a girl; what are you proud of and what challenges do you face?” The retreat featured four different workshops on issues relevant to their lives: Self-Confidence Building, Gender and Healthy Relationships, Healthier Sexuality and Busting Sex-Myths, and Goal-setting and Steps to the Future. The girls were very engaged throughout the workshops and were genuinely interested in learning and sharing their knowledge with the other participants.

In addition to the workshops the girls took part in an exciting 2-hour game drive, swimming, and a bonfire with marshmallows! It was definitely an important weekend for all the girls, since many of them do not have the opportunity to meet other young people from outside of their village. There also exists many stereotypes and stigma, in Botswana, surrounding the youth that are raised at SOS Children’s Villages so it was a wonderful opportunity to break down some of these harmful and destructive ideas. The weekend was a true success and we would like to thank the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) for providing the funding for such an event to occur, as well as our partners at SOS Children’s Village in Francistown. We hope for your continued support and donations so that events like this can be hosted again in the future- to continue to empower the youth at Stepping Stones International!

Stepping Stones International Rated Best Small Non-Profit!

In October, 2009, Stepping Stones International was rated the best small non-profit organization serving youth in the Mountain Region (USA). The award was based on reviews of Stepping Stones International from people who know and know of the organization. While SSI is located in Mochudi, Botswana, the organization is registered as a non-profit organization in Utah and has an American Board of Directors as well as a Board of Directors in Botswana. Visit greatnonprofits.org/youth the Great NonProfits web site to see our reviews.
Feel free to add your review as well!

About the 2009 Youth Thrive Awards

The awards were hosted by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user-generated ratings and reviews of nonprofits, VolunteerMatch, DoSomething.org, and Guidestar. Over the course of the Youth Thrive Awards, more than 93,000 people visited the GreatNonprofits Web site, and 3011 reviews were posted about more than 300 nonprofits serving youth.

Reviews appear on GreatNonprofits.org as well as GuideStar.org, the premiere source for donor research on nonprofits. Nonprofits with the most positive reviews in their region and budget category were determined the winners of the 2009 Youth Thrive Awards. Those who submitted reviews were eligible to win prizes such as a certificate to Birkenstock, Clif Bars, delicious treats from Greyston Bakery and more. Reviews submissions took place from August 1st to October 7th, 2009.

Grand Opening October 16, 2008

Stepping Stones International is pleased to announce that the Grand Opening Ceremony for the new center took place on Thursday, 16th October 2008. The center was built on land donated by the Catholic Church, with building materials provided by the United States Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation, and building plans donated by the Rotary Club of Botswana and First National Bank.

In excess of 400 people were in attendance and enjoyed the dance "Crystal Souls" and the drama, "Journey" performed by the participants with the assistance of Baker Pheko, a national choreographer and Millenium Production House, a Botswana drama company.

Special guests at the event included his Excellency, the Former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae; Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe, chief of Mochudi; Rebecca Gonzales, Charge d'Affaires from the United States Embassy; Colonel James G. Welton, Director of Staff, Strategy, Plans, and Programs Directorate from the US Africa Command; and Bishop Boniface Setlalekgosi of the Roman Catholic Church of Botswana. A special guest, newly inaugurated Chief Kgafela Kgafela graced us with his presence.

Thuli Johnson, the CEO from Barclay's Bank, presented SSI with a check in the amount of BWP 816,000 (USD 102,000) to conduct income generating projects for three years which will teach our youth business and marketing skills. First National Bank (FNB) gifted Stepping Stones with a new van and furniture for the center. The Grand Opening was a victory in bringing together Stepping Stones International youth, caregivers, community members, and national and international leaders to celebrate the inauguration of the new center. We would like to send a sincere thank you to all our friends who have invested an interest in our youth and the organization.

His Excellency Mr. Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana, summarized his vision for Stepping Stones in his speech when he said, "Every step creates an occasion to turn an obstacle into progress or mistake into success. When you see the value of growth, the conditions around you become STEPPING STONES. These are your assets. Do not be afraid, seize the opportunity, learn from your mistakes, treasure your victories and reach for the stars." He also emphasized the need to replicate Stepping Stones International's program throughout Botswana.

See more photos from the Grand Opening in our gallery >>