August 4, Gaborone: U.S. Ambassador to Botswana Earl Miller will address the closing celebration ceremony of the Tsela Kgopo project on August 4 in Gaborone to mark its achievements and thank the many people involved in its success.

The five-year, $16.7 million project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), focused on orphans and other vulnerable children, expectant mothers and other vulnerable women, and HIV-positive individuals to provide them with crucial support. Tsela Kgopo offered social and health services, education, gender-based violence protection, and economic strengthening services.

Over 30,000 children were reached directly by the project with home visits, school enrollment, life skills training, and even homework support. Implemented by Project Concern International (PCI), the USAID project improved the lives of at-risk children and vulnerable populations, including the nearly 15% of children in Botswana who are orphans.

The Tsela Kgopo project also worked tirelessly for the welfare of women and girls. Nearly 13,000 people were reached with interventions addressing gender-based violence and coercion related to HIV/AIDS and issues such as teenage pregnancy.

The closing ceremony will begin at 8:30 am at the Masa Hotel and will include testimony from people whose lives were changed by Tsela Kgopo. The keynote address will be given by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Botlhogile Tshireletso. Even though the project is coming to an end, the organizations who provided services are still operational and work will continue in a sustainable way.

The U.S. Government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has spent over $700 million supporting the Government of Botswana since 2003 in its response to HIV/AIDS, including care and support for vulnerable children, and by addressing gender inequalities that contribute to the spread of the disease.  

For further details, please contact: USAID Strategic Communications Advisor Sara Sullivan 7233 0886 or U.S. Embassy Information Specialist Ephraim Keoreng at Keoreng ET@state.gov or 395-3982 ext. 2419.

Please note that pictures and additional information will be available on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/u.s.embassygaborone after the event.