Press Releases

Official Openning of Stepping Stones Information Center in Mochudi by Ambassador Katherine Canavan

May 31, 2007

On Thursday, May 31, at 3 p.m., U.S. Ambassador Katherine Canavan will deliver remarks at the opening of the Stepping Stones International Centre in Mochudi. 

The Stepping Stones International Centre is a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to creating an enabling environment for adolescent orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) to grow and build their futures.  The Centre currently has 30 children enrolled in their program.  The program also includes outreach to the caregivers of the Centre, members of the community, and to the peers of the children.

The Stepping Stones International Centre is one of 11 current projects funded through the U.S. Ambassador's Self-Help Fund.  A Self-Help grant enabled Stepping Stones International to purchase furniture and equipment to start their program.  In addition to this funding, the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy is providing support for construction of a permanent building in Mochudi for the Centre. 

Each year the U.S. Ambassador's Self-Help Fund provides small grants as assistance to support community development projects in Botswana.  The grants are a partnership with community organizations which provide labor, cash, or materials as their self-help contribution.  Currently the fund is supporting grant projects throughout Botswana totaling P 420,000.  Through these grants, the United States, in partnership with Botswana organizations, seeks to encourage self-reliance and improve the social and economic welfare of especially rural communities.

For further detail, please contact:  Laona Segaetsho, Information Specialist, Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy, at Telephone: 395 3982 Ext: 5419, E-mail: SegaetshoLJ@state.gov or Angelinah Matenanga, at Telephone: 395 3982 Ext: 5415, E-mail: MatenangaAB@state.gov.