US Ambassador applauds Thamaga youth

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday January 28, 2014 16:22

Speaking at a home based care centre in Thamaga recently, Gavin told the youth who have formed a non-profit organisation, NIX Project that it was remarkable to see driven, enthusiastic and motivated youngsters bringing change to their communities. She noted that they were not only empowering their peers but everyone with information on HIV/AIDS.

She hailed the creativity, energy and focus of the NIX Project team in its fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS and related diseases.

Gavin said she wished that the NIX Project team could link with other youth from the US so that they can exchange ideas. She said the NIX Project should be replicated in other parts of the country because it is unique. She hailed Botswana's remarkable commitment to evidence based programmes like prevention-of-mother-to-child transmission, HIV testing and counselling, and care and treatment.

She said that despite the substantial gains that have been made, there are far too many new HIV infections every year.

Gavin said that the US government would continue to work with Botswana because both countries believe in listening to their people and promoting democracy and that is why she visited Thamaga to listen to the youth. Kgosi Gobuamang Gobuamang of Thamaga thanked the US envoy and her government for supporting Batswana in fighting HIV/AIDS. He highlighted two main problems that the village is currently facing - drought and the high unemployment rate, which he said made the youth turn to crime.

Acting chairperson of Nix Project steering committee, Jury Kgosidikae told Gavin that their organisation focuses on reaching zero new infections by 2016 among girls aged 15-25 years in Thamaga. She said that their mission is to reduce incidents of unprotected sex caused by alcohol. She said that if many villages could have clubs like NIX, which discusses issues that affect young people, youth crime would go down.

She said the NIX Project uses peers and counsellors to change girls' attitude to alcohol. It targets nights, month ends and festive seasons, with alternative programmes and interventions.

NIX improves relationship skills of dating girls and the jobless. It targets rape and sex spots with interventions.