Pre-School Program
We start picking up some of our smallest children from 6am and bring them to the centre for showers, breakfast and to change into uniform. With their packed lunches ready we drop them off at the nursery. These young children are mostly the younger siblings of some of our critical cases; it is our hope that by working with them from such a young age we will stop them migrating to the streets. Since 2007, 22 of our children have graduated pre-school and continued to Primary School. In 2010 we are sponsoring 13 to attend two local pre-schools.

Non-Formal
We hold classes each morning at the centre. Those who attend are children who have never been to school or dropped out a long time ago. We assess the children throughout the year and when we feel they are ready we start the process of trying to secure them a place in local schools. Our classes focus on reading, writing and basic maths.

Youth Development
At the beginning of 2008 we created a Youth Development Scheme. We place our youths into a mix of practical and further education institutes. Over 35 youths have graduated after training in skills such as bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry and more than 20 others, including subjects as diverse as Guide Training and Auto Mechanics. During studies we are responsible for their fees, accommodation, food, books, clothing and transport. On completion we work hard to gain attachment and work experience posts for them. Our ultimate goal is to assist in finding them full time employment so that they become independent and successful young men and women.

School Holidays
The school holidays are one of our most critical times. We need to keep the activities interesting and varied so that the centre becomes a more enticing place to be than the streets. Football, Painting, Embroidery, Weaving, Camping trips, Games, Gymnastics, Dancing, Marimba, Making clothes… All these activities and more go onto the timetable but it costs us a lot to do all this! In the April 2010 holidays we averaged 93 children per day at the centre, aged from 3-18 years old.

Family Initiative
We believe that in order to bring lasting change to a child’s life we need to work with their care-givers. We do not wish to encourage dependency on Bana Ba Letsatsi so we created an Income Generation Project whereby caregivers come to our workshops daily to learn how to sew and weave. We supply them with materials to begin with so they may make clothing and accessories, which they can then sell. We also have a vegetable garden at the centre and each care-giver has their own patch in which to grow and sell produce. At the end of 2009 we bought 20 chickens; the care-givers rotate responsibility and selling the eggs produced. We also hold lessons in the morning in reading and writing for the care-givers.

School Uniforms
All children in Botswana attending school must wear the correct uniform, or risk suspension from school. The Government has a policy of providing uniforms for destitute or orphaned children; however, there is a big shortfall. At the beginning of every term Bana Ba Letsatsi spends thousands on uniforms for the children. We provide necessary toiletries and blankets for those attending boarding school. We also provide books, stationery, school bags and pens. It is one of our biggest expenses throughout the year.

Tents for Shelter
When we have children or families without permanent shelter we try to provide large tents for them to live in. We always hope that these tents will be a temporary measure but unfortunately we have children who have been in the tents for over three years. The tents offer poor security and shelter during the rainy season. Although building houses for them instead would be more beneficial, the process of trying to secure a plot of land through the relevant Government Department can take years.