Transcript Document

THE SADC GENDER PROTOCOL REGIONAL SUMMIT 2014
ENDING GBV AND POST 2015
“Caring for the Welfare of Children with Disabilities
through providing Psychosocial Support”
(Botswana, 25 – 29 May 2014, Leanne Britton)
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SYNOPSIS
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Chobe Safari Lodge /Chobe Fish Eagle adopted the Kachikau Primary School Special Care Unit for the Mentally and
Physically Disabled Youth of the Chobe District in Botswana as our “Adopt a School” in October 2013. The purpose
being for our company to give back to the community as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.
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Through this promoting one of Botswana’s 2016 Vision Pillars -Namely “A Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation”
through adopting the 23 children, 1 teacher and 8 care givers of Kachikau Primary School Special Care Unit ,showing
Psychosocial support such as love and care to that of the school and its pupils living with disability.
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Not long after the start of this project ,it came to light that GBV was effecting the children lives . So much so that as a
result much of or time is now spent in Campaigning against GBV and finding a way to eliminate it from the lives of these
children. A big part of the task is to co-ordinate Psychological Support for those who have been affected. With support
form our District Disability Committee that has been set up by The Office of the President.
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We are involved in an attempt to curb the possibility of Gender Based Violence and Dispel the stigma attached to the
Mentally and Physically Disabled Youth of our District and our Country.
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To assist with bridging the gap between the services that our government and country can provide and the needs of
the children by creating a safety net of Psychosocial support.
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GBV Statistics
Statistics obtained after Interviews conducted on GBV relating
to 48% of the students
11
10
8
7
Statistics on KPSCU who have been subject to
GBV
8
4
1
Physical
Abuse
Sexual
Abuse
Verbal
Abuse
Emotional
Abuse (e.g
Bulling)
Obsurved
Abuse
72%
64%
91%
72%
36%
Due to the severity of their disabilities we were unable to interview
the other children as they are not able to communicate effectively.
GBV Statistics - Gender Break Down
11
6
5
5
4
3
4
3
3
Boy Child
3
Girl Child
1
Girl Child
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
1
Boy Child
Verbal Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Obsurved Abuse
In conclusion it is evident that the girl child is at a very high risk relating to GBV
and ultimately exposure to HIV Aids.
These stats are based on information gained from those children who are
able communicate.
How shocking must the figures be for those who do not have a voice ?
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OBJECTIVES
To give the children a voice to enable them to say “NO” to the things that they do not like
especially that of GBV.
To be able to assist the School, it’s Special Care Unit, teaching staff and children by
providing exposure, Psychosocial support, material, love and care.
To build confidence within these children to enable them to do the things that they love
and enjoy in life.
To build acceptance and appreciation between the community, the parents of the children
and the children themselves.
Picture : Dimpho one of the girl children who has Spina Bifida
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THE CHILDREN 
BACKGROUND
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In 2012 our company was approached by the school to donate items towards the Special
Olympics being held for the Mentally and Physically Disabled children. We then realized that we
could assist the school in other ways too. 2016 pillars of our Nation namely -
1. “ A compassionate, Just and Caring Nation” – We are dedicated to showing Psychosocial
support, love and care toward the Mentally and Physically Disabled children .
2. “An Educated and Informed Nation” By supporting the school with equipment, learning
materials, activities and mentorship.
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The problem area that we identified was the gap that existed between what Government is able
provide and the needs of the children.
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In addition we realised that GBV has a very negative effect on the children’s lives and their
development.
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Picture : Children in their special care classroom
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KEY ACTIVITIES
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Facilitating the growth of this project with the purpose of eliminating any GBV that the
children experience, through interaction with key stakeholders namely the Council, Social
Workers, Chiefs, Police, Press, School, Parents, Teachers, Caregivers and other relevant
groups.
Research, needs analysis and development of action plans
Accumulation of donations and professional assistance
Showing love, care and giving confidence, through interactive visits and outings
Bringing awareness and education to the community through media on this topic
Influencing other companies and individuals to get involved
Picture : District Commissioner Dr Temba Mmusi with Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs
and Public Administration Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri at donation ceremony.
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RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS
Amount contributed in cash or in kind
by partner organisations (please
specify)
Amount
local
currency (specify)
Amount
in Rand
P77 735.00
R93 399.49
Linen, DVD Players, DVD's,
furniture, Wheelchairs x 3,
Refreshments , Outings, Hygiene
Equipment activities and Trips.
7 month period
TOTAL
P77 735.00
R93 399.49
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BENEFICIARIES
CATEGORY
Direct beneficiaries e.g.
number
of
parliamentarians trained
Indirect
beneficiaries
(e.g.
through
other
networks)
Online beneficiaries (e.g.
website access, mailing
lists, scholarly articles)
Total
WOMEN
MEN
TOTAL
% WOMEN
9
14
23
39%
30
17
47
64%
811
1623
812
851
842
1693
50%
50%
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CHALLENGES
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Time – We are full time employees of CSL/CFE. My position as Group Training and
Development Manager of over 500 employees in 6 Camps and Lodges in and around Botswana
is a very busy one therefore to overcome time needs to be well co-ordinated.
We have drawn up a schedule of when the visits will happen and who will be in attendance. This
in turn allows us to co-ordinate our time, resources and manpower.
** Distance - The school is long way away from our Lodge namely over 200km as a round
trip. There is not much we can do about this but try to overcome by being well
co-ordinated
** Resources
- We do not have the financial resources to assist with monetary funding of the
programme to be able to obtain some of the educational equipment etc that the children could
benefit from.
We have tried to overcome this by meeting with the School Head and Teacher to ascertain their
main needs and then focus our efforts on those.
** Continuity – Of the programme, commitment and passion if the people driving it
should leave the company.
We have officially “Adopted the School” commitment to the Ministry of Education that we will
assist where possible with this project.
**Communication – Only 11/23 of the children are able to speak clearly – We overcome this by
communicating through body language and gaining their trust.
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MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Through monitoring this project by conducting Monthly Visits to the school, direct
communication via phone and emails to the teacher, monthly needs assessment
meetings, interviews with the Parents, Children, Head Master, Matron, Head of
Department, Class teacher, Care Givers and Council Representative.
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Through conducting interviews with the children and their caregivers relating to GBV and
how it directly effects their lives. Assisting with putting in place measure s to stop the
children from being soft targets for GBV. Meetings with stakeholders to stopgap the high
risk GBV areas.
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By the response of the children when we visit them with members of the community and
vice versa. By the level of involvement and interaction that both parties show.
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By the increased amount of companies and community members wanting to be involved
in this campaign which highlights GBV and Disabilities.
Picture 1 : Handing over of donations to the Assistant Headmaster, HOD and Teaching staff. Picture 2: Monthly needs assessment meeting with Teaching staff.
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Service Delivery
We show the children love, care and compassion through  Protection of the children against GBV and Stigma - Through Education of the Children,
Teachers, Parents and Community through the District Disability Committee.
 Visiting the school an interacting with the children.
 Mentoring. Thereby giving confidence
 Accumulating donations that will assist their specific needs.
 Support of the school and teaching staff.
 Proving for outside activities to promote interaction with the community and physical
fitness
Picture 1 : Christmas card making at the Christmas Party. Picture 2: Ozia
Julius – Porter at CSL - showing love and care to children while on a boat
cruise on the Chobe River
Women’s Empowerment
Miss Bapoga Tshepang’s Story:
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At the age of 25 years old I gave birth to my son Solomon. When Solomon was 3 years old I
found out that he was Mentally Challenged.
I managed to enrol him at KPSCY and within 3 months my son is now able to talk a little and ask
for food , is able to do daily tasks such as bath himself, wash his hands before he eats etc.
Her biggest challenge is the abuse that she suffers from the community who associate her son
with witchcraft – She believes that education is key to changing this perception.
As a mother I have been empowered and I am able to look after my 6 month old son knowing
that Solomon is getting the professional help and care that he requires. I now have very little
stress and can be a better mother to both my children.
Picture 1 : Bapoga Tshepang’ with her 6 mth old baby. Picture 2: Her son Solomon.
Men for change
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The teacher for the Special Care Unit Mr Sydney Mandingo is a man and so too is
Mr Bollen Kasaira one of the Care Givers. Therefore 22% of the teaching and support staff
at the Kachikau Primary School Special Care Unit are men.
Bollen as a care giver helps with the heavy moving and carrying of all the children. His
most important function like those of the other 7 women Care Givers is principally for
support and care of the children.
Mr Ndiye Solomon one of the parents also supporting the Special Unit by making visit to
the school to see how they are doing and to give a helping hand where he can.
All these men that we have mentioned are protectors and
ambassadors of the school and its children.
Picture 1 : Bollen Kasaira Picture 2 & 3 Sydney Mandingo – KPSCU Teacher
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Public Participation
When we have events like the donation ceremony’s, rubbish pick up’s etc in the Kachikau
area we rely on public participation from Ministers, District Commissioner, Council
Secretary, Education Department, Chief’s, Social Workers, Press and Community
Members.
Picture 1 : Children at the 2013 Christmas Party at CSL.
Picture 2: Children singing and dancing at the donation
ceremony for the VIP’s and community.
Changes at the work place
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Our group employs around 500 employees and through the company adopting the school.
It has increased the awareness of theses children and their challenges through the
direct involvement of our employees with the children especially when activities like the
Christmas Party, Boat Cruise and Game Drives are held at Chobe Safari Lodge.
Our employees have become very protective over these children and many have gone as
far as donating clothes and giving time and love to these children.
Picture 1 : Boat cruise into the park for the children on the Chobe River
Picture 2: The CSL/CFE support team – Lydia, Neo, Leanne and Mapodise
Picture 3 : Senior Semende donating some clothing items for the children
Outreach through Media
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We make contact with the Botswana Press, Print Media, Botswana Radio and Botswana
Television to assist us in covering the various events that we do with the Special Care Unit.
This coverage allows us to highlight the various matters such as dispelling the stigma
attached to these children and their families as well how GBV affects their lives . These
reports help to bridge the gap between the needs of the Mentally and Physically Disabled
children and the community.
Picture 1: H.R of Chobe District Council thanking
Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public
Administration Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri at
donation ceremony. Picture 2: BTV and Daily
News interviewing one of the children Boitumelo
Samunzala
Changes at household level
Kelapile’s Story:
• Kelapile Fanilo is an employee who has worked at CSL for a number of years.
• When the children from the KPSCY came to CSL on the 31st of January this year he saw
with his own eyes that amongst the 23 children who were attending the Boat Cruise that
there were a number of children who were wheelchair bound .This has now prompted him
to ask CSL to investigate the possibility of his 10 year old daughter who has been a
paraplegic since birth, attending the school.
• I am thrilled to report that due to our facilitation, Onkemetse will be starting at the school
on the 2nd of June 2014.
Picture : Mma Rachel Jeremia the Chobe District Council Secretary speaking about the importance of exposing Mentally and Physically Disabled
children to such an institution.
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Capacity Building
This project has helped us to educate our +- 500 employees on the challenges faced by
the disabled including GBV. Thus creating a cascading effect by enabling our staff to
influence others to also appreciate, be sensitive towards and embrace the disabled
members of our community.
We are able to assist with capacity building as at CSL/CFE we are very pro-active in
gaining involvement and participation from other stakeholders such as:
NGO’S - Botswana Red Cross, Rotary
Company suppliers such as BJ Builders, Lataba Thatching, Vodaclean etc
Assisting to bridge the gap in conjunction with Chobe District Council.
Information Services (Press)
Picture 1: A visit too the school by Dale Green a representative from B.J
Builders. Picture 2: Principal Education Officer Mrs Bokani I Nkwalela
interacting with the children during the Christmas Party.
Changes in attitudes
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Stakeholder meetings:
Education Department, Council, Social Workers, Police, Chief’s, School, Parents and other
involved parties. Thereby Influencing Senior Community Members to address the issues
of GBV and The Disabled in community meetings in order to raise awareness.
Co–ordination of the 11 Social Workers in the 8 Areas where the children go home to
during holidays. Conducting regular visits, promoting better care and quality of life when
they are not at school thereby reducing the possibility of GBV. Friends to support and talk
to !
Through highlighting this initiative we are able to assist in the change of attitude and
stigma attached with that of the Mentally and Physically Disabled children.
By restoring dignity to children living with disabilities by taking care of their needs and
viewing them as individuals who also have a role to play in the society.
We have managed to promote the start of an Interact group at the main stream side of
the school where pupils volunteer to spend time and interact with the children from the
SCU.
Picture 1: Interviewing Dimpho’s Mother. Picture 2: Some of the boys showing Mma B around the dormitory.
LESSON LEARNED AND INNOVATION
The lessons that we have learned are as follows.
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** That the Mentally and Physically Disabled children of our community
are SOFT TARGETS for GBV and HIV AIDS. Due to their mental capacity these children
can easily be manipulated and taken advantage of e.g mental and physical abuse.
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** We have learned that through forming a relationship with the children,
parents, school and community we are able to influence people to protect
and mentor these children.
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** That through interacting and showing these children that we care about
them and that they have friends they are able to gain confidence with
themselves and partake in other activates such as sport, arts and crafts etc.
How are these being applied?
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** By mentoring them and creating a support net around them.
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** By involving all stakeholders and by example influencing others.
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** By officially adopting the school and visiting the children on a regular basis.
Picture : Making masks with the children during a visit
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LEARNING AND SHARING WITH OTHERS
Consultation with the Red Cross based in the Chobe District who are working with the
orphans and vulnerable children of our district.
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This project has a similar background to the Kachikau Special Care Unit and it came in
handy with their insight into the “Bonkgonne Project” whereby older children take care of
and show support to the younger vulnerable children .The Red Cross works with children
from our district and have many years experience in the Psychosocial support of particular
children.
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We have supported Red Cross since 2006 and when we got involved in this initiative it
was only right to have them on board to become a stakeholder. We meet with Taboka the
Programs Officer on a Bi-weekly basis to discuss both projects.
Picture 1 : Peer educators
from the Red Cross Picture 2:
Taboka Rosti – Red cross
Chobe
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SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICATION
How can the work be sustained?
• This project will be sustained post 2015 in our District by both the commitment of CSL to
adopt the Special Care Unit and its children as our “Adopt a School” as well as the
continued partnership with the stakeholders of this initiative namely that of the Chobe
District Council, Community Leaders and Red Cross.
How can the work be cascaded to other organisations?
• Through networking with other institutions within Botswana that deal with the Disabled in
order to share our resources and knowledge. Becoming more effective.
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Through our company’s Marketing – Our company has included the fact that we have
adopted the Special Care Unit as our “Adopt a school", we report on the various activities
that we do with the school on our website and face book pages This marketing influences
our existing and potential clients to give back and get involved in some way with this
initiative for example donating school supplies, clothing etc.
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Through advising other Organization on the initiative, its challenges and achievements in
order for them to have a buy in and consider replicating the programme in their own
respective areas.
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Inviting stakeholders and other companies to the different activities, so that they too can
be inspired and influenced by this initiative as well as appreciate their efforts to the camp
gain.
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KEY PRIORITIES FOR 2014
Co-ordination of Social Worker and stakeholders visits during holiday time – Protection
against GBV – Influencing more involvement..
Continued relationship building with the children
Fundraising for specific needs - Wheelchairs for children to use at home (3/6 secured)
Assisting with sourcing, skills to assist with the education aspect of the children.
Assistance with skills development of the teaching staff
Continue creating awareness on this initiative within our Community and Nation
Picture : Some of the children
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“ Know me for my ability NOT my disability “
THANK YOU… FROM US ALL !!