Community
Step Up works in communities that lack the infrastructure, programs and support necessary to ensure the healthy and productive development of young people.
In Botswana, we invest in Step Up Education Botswana to educate, empower and inspire vulnerable young people in Molepolole. Molepolole has a population of 70,000 people and is the fastest growing village in the country.
Botswana has the second highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world and HIV affects 20% of the people in Molepolole.
More than 80 percent of children in Botswana do not participate in any form of early childhood education, leaving them socially, emotionally and academically unprepared to enter first grade.
A disproportionate number of households and families continue to depend on government safety-net programs instead of taking action towards self-reliance.
Children are generally surrounded by an environment of apathy and grow up seeing many young people around them engaging in unproductive behavior.
But with our Achievers we see resilient and confident youth determined to build better futures for themselves and their families. We are fortunate to work with young people dedicated to overcoming their environment so they can achieve their full potential.
