Otukile, who is the director of the Youth Health Organisation (YOHO), and Light and Courage Centre Trust coordinator Angelina Magaga were invited to Washington by the US president.

The two Botswana organisations were among the 23 selected as grant award winners of a New Partners Initiative.

In an interview with Mmegi, Otukile said yesterday that he knew he was likely to receive an award but was not confirmed until November 30. He said they had been required to write up a proposal and it won after being highly ranked among the 180 contenders. Otukile said they were among the best four from Africa.

YOHO will receive $568 000 (about P3.5 million) over the next three years. The money will go towards building the capacity of YOHO, promotion of service provision, promoting abstinence, being faithful and partner reduction. He said they were doing their best in their prevention messages and emphasise abstinence to those below 18 years. He said they encouraged marriage and stated that it "is good to stay in harmony". Otukile admonished young people to refrain from risky behaviours such as serial monogamy, which could be due to the inability to manage relationships.

They will also continue their commitment in training youth in life-skills, performing arts and theatre. It will also go towards strengthening the human resource.

He hailed President Bush's humility, saying it was instructive to see his commitment in assisting them. He said he was also impressed by the president's insistence that they come in person to meet with him. "I have never had a chance to meet with our own president," he said. He said although he had travelled extensively in Africa and Europe, it was his first visit to America.

Otukile said although President Festus Mogae has stood out as an icon in Africa, the Botswana "government still needs to spend more on youth programmes". "Ideas are not turned into action and there is no systematic way of supporting NGOs in grants." Otukile says as it is, there are only guidelines, with no policy or Act. He complained about lack of annual contracts with the government.

He said that there were no safe recreational facilities and no jobs, which left young people frustrated. He decried the non-conducive environment and that there it was not youth-friendly or supportive enough for young people, leading to irresponsible behaviour that leaves the burden of taking care of children with grandparents.

Light and Courage Centre Trust will receive $505,195 (P3 million) for three years, which director Magaga said would boost them. She said that this would be the first time for them to receive PEPFAR funding.

Speaking to Mmegi, Magaga said the money would also make them grow as they plan to have extra satellites to ensure greater impact on the community. She said they would also employ more qualified people. The Francistown based Light and Courage Centre is involved in day care and support and assists those critical or ailing people with visiting health facilities. With their efforts, about 60 people have been able to return to work while 400 others have been able to get back into their respective communities. "We are proud of that," she stated. Magaga said that before the introduction of ARVs, it was emotionally draining as 24 people died. Now there are hardly any deaths.

The centre is able to follow through with their clients even when they relocate. It is also a drop-in centre, which offers counselling even to those who are not living with HIV.

They have a hospice at home where they visit patients at home and counsel caregivers. Commenting on her US experiences, Magang expressed her excitement at staying in a hotel 500m away from the White House. She said it was amazing how much praise was given to people taking care of people living with HIV/AIDS.

The new partners initiative is a programme within the American President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).