Project AIM

This past week I have had the absolute pleasure of working with BOTUSA (a partnership between Botswana and the CDC) on a new project – Project AIM.  AIM stands for “Adult Identity Mentoring” and the six-week-long program is designed to help students connect with their future selves, thereby making them less likely to engage in risky behavior that will jeopardize that future.

Due to the wonderful success Project AIM has had in the states (participating schools had overall better grades, less truancy, and less unsafe sex), BOTUSA is now bringing it to Botswana.  This is where my help was enlisted – my junior secondary school was chosen as one of three to do a preliminary pilot of the program, as well as various focus groups.  This is to ensure that the program is appropriately adapted for youth in Botswana.  It was my job to organize groups of people for the facilitators to work with.

It was wonderful to work with Sarah (from CDC) and Catherine (from BOTUSA) as they implemented their activities.  They taught two lessons during which they engaged students in discussion about the idea of a legacy – that what we do in our lives now affects those that come after us.  They met with my YES Club every day after school to do a whole career series – including a personality quiz to find what career might be best, making business cards, and designing a dream house.  They conducted focus groups with form 1 students and parents, as well as interviews with teachers and community leaders.

Sound like a lot of work for four days?  It absolutely was.  (…I say that on their behalf.  I mostly just watched.)  But more importantly, it was interesting to see all the effort it takes to start such a program as this, and inspiring to meet people who are so dedicated to making children’s futures brighter.

You can learn more about Project AIM by clicking here.  I heard a bit about some really interesting versions of the program being conducted in the states – focusing on unique populations such as teenage mothers and transgender youth.  From what I saw this past week, it’s truly a program worth believing in.