This activity is linked with P0211, C0901, P0216, & P0213.

The Hope Worldwide Botswana (HWW) Abstinence and Behavioral Change for Youth (ABY) program started operating in September 2005 in Molepolole .The target is to reach 20,000 youth aged 10-24, for the duration of the COP agreement (2005- 2009) . The target for COP ‘‘07 is 3,700 youth subdivided into AB= 3,000 and A-only = 700.

The program implements abstinence-focused interventions at schools, youth groups, sports, clubs, and faith-based organizations in Molepolole, using abstinence-based life skills syllabi that cover personal and character issues, dating, marriage, drugs/alcohol, peer issues, social pressures, gender-based violence, rape and abuse.

Key activities include: initial HIV-competency based assessments, leadership camps, parental involvement, community campaigns, basic education in the community, church or school, and mobilizing and training youth to form community action teams (CATs).

So far the program has achieved the following: • Facilitated two classes at Lephaleng Primary School (57 learners), who graduated in June of 2006. Thirty of these learners were selected as members of the CATs. Altogether, 753 learners and 24 teachers were reached with HIV/AIDS, abstinence, behavioral change, and be faithful messages during the training and the school outreach activities. • In July 2006, at least 400 Masilo Community Junior Secondary School learners graduated, and over 50 of them volunteered to be in the CATs. Over 558 students and 48 adults were reached with HIV/AIDS, abstinence, behavioral change and be faithful messages.

Two more school outreach programs are lined up for schools in Molepolole by December 2006, where more CATs will be launched and a pledge of abstinence made by learners. The ABY program has managed to revitalize and team up with the already existing clubs in schools to promote relationships with schools. Also, an orphan drop-in centre has joined the target audience for the ABY curriculum (Bana ba Keletso), and to date the ABY program has worked with 50 of these children.

Challenges he program has faced include reaching out to church groups, some aspects of program administration, and especially in setting up a fully-operational office and in overcoming some transportation hurdles.

In FY07, the program seeks to continue to increase abstinence and secondary abstinence until marriage among young people aged 10-24 years, primarily through implementation of the HWW curriculum in after school settings, including some orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) sites and churches. The program will expand to additional churches and schools, and provide follow-up programs for youth trained and reached before, to help reinforce abstinence-related skills and values. If possible, in FY07 staff will start a program for parents of these youth, based on materials being developed and piloted in South Africa. Activities during this time period will also involve collaboration with the Men'‘s Sector (men'‘s organizations for fighting HIV in Molepolole), in the continued endeavors to curb violence against women and children, cross generational sex, and murder/suicides. Finally, the program will promote voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) during sessions held at community events, schools, and churches. Through collaboration with Tebelopele VCT Center and Keletso Counseling Centre in Molepolole, campaigns will be arranged and supported by HWW, to encourage community members to test and know their HIV status. Clients will be provided with referrals to relevant service providers when appropriate.

This activity links with C0811, C0812, C0813, C0814,C0613, P0203, P0202, T1107 and T1101

In FY07, HWW through its ANCHOR Program (Africa Network for Children Orphaned and at Risk) will continue to scale up its OVC activities. These activities were initiated in Molepolole in FY05/06.

The program will target OVC infected and affected by HIV/AIDS aged 0-18 years. The number of OVC targeted will increase from 1,500 in FY06 to 2,150 in FY07. HWW will promote provision of comprehensive care services to affected children by training 100 caregivers. The number of caregivers to be trained will increase from 20 in FY06 to 100 in FY07. The caregivers' training will focus on parenting skills, child development, children's rights, psychosocial support, nutrition, and IGA. Depending on the type of training being provided, HWW will collaborate with other stakeholders. For example, the Rehabilitation Nutrition Units for Malnourished children infected and affected by HIV/ AIDS under the MOH will be a key player in training caregivers on nutritional issues for OVC. The DSS, MOE, and UNICEF will also be involved in training caregivers in child rights, psychosocial support, parenting skills, and child development issues.

As the AIDS pandemic takes its toll on families, extended families and communities, psychosocial support is emerging as a vast and challenging area of programming for OVC service providers. Children, parents and guardians are struggling with grief, fear, guilt, resentment, shame, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness and a host of other emotions that affect their lives and their relationships. Children without a strong sense of self-worth are especially vulnerable. The scale of loss and suffering overwhelms traditional coping mechanisms, and both children and adults are looking for a new kind of assistance. Under this program OVC will benefit through direct support to meet their basic and psychosocial needs including basic essentials such as food, school fees, clothing, health care, recreation and social activities with peers to foster belonging. HWW will provide OVC with PSS, which will be provided through kids clubs, one-on-one and group counseling. In cases where children need specialized help, peer support groups will be set up by HWW. These support groups will be established in communities, churches, schools, and selected day care centers Kids' camps will be held in collaboration with other organizations such as BOCAIP. The main purpose of the Kids Camps will be to serve as life skills forums for children in a relaxed environment. At these camps the child's emotional, spiritual, and social needs will be addressed. To ensure quality and standardization of service provision in psychosocial support, the National Training Manual on PSS developed by the DSS will be utilized.

HWW will collaborate with CRS. CRS and the private sector to help strengthen the livelihood of older OVC. The livelihood aspect of this program will focus on activities that will directly benefit needy OVC. The program will help OVC to gain access to vocational training and will provide them with seed funds to start innovative income generating activities. In particular, deliberate efforts will be made to ensure child-headed households benefit from this initiative.

Community mobilization and participation will be central to the implementation of this program. In particular, the program will establish CCCF. These Forums will bring together members of the community, youth leaders, and representatives from NGOs/FBOs/CBOs to discuss OVC issues and share lessons in providing services to OVC. The members of the CCCFs will be trained on how to monitor the services being provided to OVC by different organizations. The CCCF will sensitize the community at large to the needs of OVC.

HWW will leverage EP funds to solicit additional support from the Rotary Club of Gaborone to provide material support to OVC in the form of educational supplies such as stationery, school fees and uniforms, transport, blankets and food. HWW will collaborate with the Social and Community Development Office under the district council in identifying the most needy cases and households to benefit from these material support.

Hope Worldwide together with the Social and Community Development Office Social Workers will facilitate the identification of children in need of specialized care and referral to the relevant organizations and government sectors for action.