TSELA KGOPO OVC & GENDER PROJECT Journey of Life Practice in Botswana Presentation by David Kanje OVC Advisor, Tsela Kgopo OVC & Gender Project PCI

TSELA KGOPO OVC & GENDER PROJECT

Background Although Botswana has experienced much economic growth since independence, HIV has the potential to reverse such gains Botswana has been hit hard by the HIV epidemic, with a national HIV prevalence of 16.9% with women and children being the most affected. The Botswana Government has put in place programs to support infected and affected families to mitigate the impact of HIV and further vulnerability especially among children through the Social Welfare Program

TSELA KGOPO OVC & GENDER PROJECT PEPFAR SUPPORT Project Concern International (PCI) has since 2008 been funded to support capacity building and augment service delivery for OVC in the country through the Building Bridges Program ( ) and Tsela Kgopo OVC and Gender project ( ) PCI adopted JOL as one of the projects’ major approaches for mobilizing communities in the project catchment areas to identify and support vulnerable children as well as a psychosocial support tool for Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their families PCI built capacity of 16 CSOs, two of which are national networks (Marang ) Child Care Network and Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program – BOCAIP). The networks further cascaded JOL to their affiliates.

TSELA KGOPO OVC & GENDER PROJECT Partnerships At national level, sought partnership with the Departments of Social Protection (DSP) and Community Development, under the Ministry of Local Government- a ministry responsible for children and vulnerable communities in Botswana At district level, PCI partnered with key service providers for children and their families: - District AIDS Coordinators (DAC) - District Health Management Teams (DHMT) - Social Workers - Police and - Teachers from selected schools The above were trained and mentored alongside PCI funded CSO partners at the district level

TSELA KGOPO OVC & GENDER PROJECT Implementation Process Since 2009, PCI has trained 33 TOTs, 331 Facilitators and the methodology is currently being implemented in almost all the districts of Botswana. PCI OVC officer was also trained as a Regional Facilitator (REFA) by REPSSI and is spearheading implementation and quality assurance of JOL countrywide PCI adopted the JOL methodology and adapted it for use in Botswana using “The Tree of Life”, Awareness and Action workshops with OVC, caregivers, communities and service providers as appropriate Trained children from selected schools as peer educators Continue to train targeted groups according to expressed needs

Outcomes Formation of District JOL Teams (DAC, Social Workers, Teachers, CSOs, Police, Health workers) who plan, manage and coordinate district JOL activities Formation of school JOL clubs and use of JOL for PSS, HIV prevention, life skills and support to OVC within the schools and communities. Use of JOL in other children’s programs (Kids clubs that usually target 10-18; teen clubs) for adolescents living with HIV and during organised school camps (targeting transitioning children from primary to secondary or from secondary to high school/tertiary or both as well as OVC).

Out Comes Cont. Community groups such as Grassroots building Our Wealth (GROW)- that come together to save and invest money using their own resources- for PSS, and parenting skills development/improvement. Community leaders and other structures use JOL for identification and support of OVC and their families as well as for child protection and advocacy. * Development of community action plans for resource mobilisation (in-kind or monetary) to support the less privileged. * JOL is one of the recommended methodologies in the Botswana National Community Mobilisation Strategy ( ).

Reported Results/Impact- School Reduced teenage pregnancy and juvenile delinquency in schools for example Mojamorago Junior and Selebi Phikwe Senior Secondary Schools in Selebi Phikwe district. Improved pass rate in Mojamorago Junior Secondary from the lowest to becoming top of the country performer in National Junior Certificate Examinations in 2013 Formation of study groups for Mosojane Primary School students that are facilitated by volunteers at community level. As a result, there was reported improved pass rate in 2013 Improved parent/child and teacher/student communication which may have also contributed to improved school performance, behaviour change etc Improved psychosocial wellbeing of OVC as a result of periodical camps and on-going support from teachers, caregivers and other students

Results- Community Formation of income generating groups for economic strengthening for vulnerable families. Some of which have benefitted from government and other private sector funding (Bakery and knitting projects in Phikwe, school based horticulture project in Sebina area) Formation of Village Child Protection Committees (VCPC) that identify and refer vulnerable children for different services for example in Molepolole village Improved psychosocial wellbeing, parenting skills among caregivers

Results- Institution Formation of a multi-sectoral child protection mechanism that unites communities, schools, health clinics, social welfare departments, the legal system and civil societies. Improved inter-agency referrals Strengthened capacity in provision of PSS (integrated within service delivery by different players) and community mobilisation by service providers Improved planning, management and sharing of resources (human, finance and logistics) between government and civil society organisations

Lessons Learned It is critical for the benefits of communities and children for all service providers to work together to improve the welfare and protection of children and members of the community. This approach creates a multi-sectoral child protection mechanism that unites communities, schools, health clinics, social welfare departments, the legal system and civil societies. It promotes inter agency referrals that benefit members of the community, creates a network of services and allows for sharing of scarce human and financial resources. Civil society activities get to be included in district plans and some get funding.

Lessons Learned Cont. At community level, JOL helps to increase community awareness about what OVC services are being offered by various NGOs and government, allows use of available community resources. Schools come up as a hub of services for peer counselling, birth registration, and support groups. Community and family approach as opposed to the individual Client approach increase child participation to program design and implementation. Children take responsibility in helping their peers while family members become service providers for their own families.

Conclusion The JOL implementation in Botswana has been an exciting and innovative experience. The methodology has grown from a one institution to a nationwide approach in working with vulnerable children and their families. The model implemented in Botswana has transformed JOL from just a community mobilization to a more comprehensive psychosocial support tool that also addresses issues of child protection and economic strengthening for vulnerable families

Recommendations Coordination, implementation and monitoring should be done by the Department of Social Protection. Regular school camps for PSS and behaviour change among young people Comprehensive evaluation/documentation of JOL activities in Botswana Streamlining JOL as a methodology for PSS in the school curriculum and Social Work Pre-service Training