HIV prevention takes many shapes:

• direct classroom education helps kids learn about the virus;
• after-school support groups and activities reinforce and build kids’ self-esteem, strengthening their resilience to peer pressure and the temptation of risky behavior;
• physical support through extra meals, clothing donations, or even school hostel (dormitory) fees keep kids in school to learn about the virus and safeguard against those behaviors which put children at risk.

Sekolo Projects collaborates with school communities to find and support the best HIV prevention strategy for that community.  We’re helping kids and their communities keep themselves strong and healthy.

Read about our most recent trip to Namibia here.

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Sekolo Projects is a non-profit organization that aims to prevent new HIV infections in young people in Namibia, southern Africa.

• See Sekolo Projects in action
• How you can help
• Community projects we support
• Our HIV ABC
• HIV/AIDS in Namibia

Follow us through Namibia

May 19

Today we drove back to Windhoek from Keetmanshoop - just a 4 hour drive!  It seemed very short after the long day of travel we had on Tuesday (we flew from Oshakati to Windhoek, just a 1 hour flight but covered 800km; and then we drove another 800km to Luderitz, 8 hours in the car!)

On our drive Tuesday, we picked up board member Maree Smit, who travelled with us to Luderitz, where Sekolo supports two school feeding programs. 

Luderitz is a coastal town, and often quite chilly and very windy.  We were lucky and had bright sun and a warm, gentle breeze.  Tom and I enjoyed seeing and smelling the salt air off the Atlantic again!

Our first stop in the morning was to Diaz Primary School, where the Principal runs a bakery - to help feed the children at his school, as well as the children at the two other schools in town.  Here you can see Tom and Maree with Cassius, the principal. 

We visited Diaz just before break time, when the more needy children will receive a bowl of porridge and fish stew - 1 bowl for 2 children.

Our second stop was the Luderitz Secondary School, where Sekolo has supported a soup kitchen feeding scheme for several years.  The school has a new principal, and we were very happy to see he is still fully supportive and enthusiastic about the soup kitchen.  The school cleaners are an enthusiastic and generous bunch, who volunteer their time to cook the children’s soup.  Standing with them is Ms. Orlam, the soup kitchen facilitator with the green folder, and Tom.  (We’re looking for a sponsor who can fund some “Sekolo Chef” aprons for these fantastic volunteers - email me if you’re interested!)

The children were happy to see Tom and me, and eager to pose for pictures with their red soup kitchen mugs.

Next we drove to Nautilus Primary School, just behind Luderitz Secondary School.  Here they also feed children at break time, and they have a dedicated room where they prepare the food and where the children can eat.

After we finished our school visits, we drove through Zone 7, the newest residential development in Luderitz where many of the children Sekolo supports live. 

These one room homes often house large extended families.  Three houses share an outhouse toilet, and 12 houses share a communal water spigot.

That afternoon we drove back to Keetmanshoop, to cut our Thursday drive in half.  As a final treat, Maree took us to see some cheetahs - check out the pictures on our facebook page!

May 18, 2011

Greetings from Luderitz,

It is Wednesday morning and we are on our way to visit schools today. I apologize for the delay with our postings. We have had very full days.

Sunday we visited Etosha – a national park – where we conducted our own safari. We saw 18 different types animals up close. See the elephant and giraffe pictures from Elizabeth.

Monday we visited Oshakati where Sisi conducts drum, dance and soccer programs for kids living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in one of the poorest parts of the world. One teen stole my heart. An orphan, she tested HIV positive years ago. Under Sisi’s care she has thrived. Dance is where she found herself and her home. Today, with a zest for life, she helps provide direction and guidance to other dancers. Her smile can melt your heart. The pictures capture the joy the kids experience with Sisi. 

May 14

It was a beautiful sunny day in Windhoek today!  We got an early start today as there was lots to do, plan and prepare.  We picked up some fresh baked scones at the Craft Center and headed off to meet two of our Namibian Board members at the Polytech Hotel School for an informal conversation. 

We met Bonifatius Morwe, who I’ve known since we taught together at the Mokaleng RC School, back in 2002, and who has been on the Sekolo board since 2006.  We also met Gisela Siririka, who I met when planning the Our HIV AIDS workshops, and has also been on the board since 2006.

We chatted and reconnected, and Boni and Gisela got to know Tom a little bit before the serious planning discussions begin.  Unfortunately, I was so caught up in the conversations that I completely forgot to take any pictures!  Tom has promised to remind me in the future.

After we left Boni and Gisela, Tom and I did a bit of grocery shopping for our long drive tomorrow, sorted out the first aid kit and some other traveling odds and ends, and did some work and email.  Rivendell, the guesthouse where we’re staying, is a beautiful place!

We sat down a bit later with a cup of tea to look at the map and plan our drive tomorrow.

It’s really chilly here at night - hope you’re all enjoying some springtime warmth!

May 12/13

We got on the first of three planes early Thursday morning, and have arrived safely in Namibia!  Our first flight landed us at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5, just in time for sunset….

Next up, Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo International Airport, with this helpful guard at the departures board:

After 28 hours traveling, and three long flights, we arrived at the Hoseo Kutako Airport in Windhoek. 

It’s beautiful weather here - and great to see the southern cross again!

Here’s our itinerary - check back here for pictures and previous blog posts!

Thursday, May 12
Fly from New York to London, leaving London f3or Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday night.
Friday, May 13
Arrive in Jo-burg on Friday morning and continue on to Namibia, arriving in Windhoek by 2pm, after over 24 hours of travel!
Saturday, May 14
Meet informally with Namibian Board members
Sunday, May 15
Travel Day: Drive north, via the Etosha Game Park, to Oshakati where Etango Tali Piti are located.
Monday, May 16
Meet with Etango Tali Piti facilitator, Sisi Mukensturm, and visit with the children in the program.
Tuesday, May 17
Travel Day: Flight from Oshakati to Windhoek, where we’ll pick up a car and continue south to Luderitz.
Wednesday, May 18
Meet with the Soup Kitchen facilitators at the Luderitz Secondary School and visit with the students.
Thursday, May 19
Travel Day: Return to Windhoek and prepare for our Board meeting.
Friday, May 20
Board meeting and planning with the Namibian Board of Directors.
Saturday, May 21
Start the journey back to the US!

See more pictures from our trip on Sekolo’s facebook page

While we’re in Namibia, Tom and I will visit our Etango Tali Piti in Oshakati, in the far north of the country, on the Angolan border - at the # 1.  We’ll also touch base with the Soup Kitchen at the Luderitz Secondary School, in the southern coastal region of Namibia, by the #2.

Here’s Namibia on the African continent - when we fly in, we traverse the entire continent north to south, stopping in Johannesburg, South Africa for a few hours before our final flight into Windhoek.

Find Sekolo Safari information here!

2010 Sekolo Safari Tickets

Morutabana (Elder) tickets - $400 each
      Names will be printed in event material.  Please provide full names below.

Baruti (Teahcer) tickets - $250 each
      Names will be printed in event material.  Please provide full names below.

Tsala (Friend) tickets - $125 each

If you are unable to attend the Safari, but would still like to support Sekolo’s HIV prevention work in Namibia, we appreciate your donation!

Please choose your ticket type, and enter your full name and telephone number.  You can adjust the quantity of tickets after you click “Pay Now.”  When your order is complete, we’ll send you an email to let you know.  Thank you!

Ticket Type

Morutabana $400.00 Baruti $250.00 Tsala $125.00 Donation $150.00 Donation $300.00 Donation $500.00

Your name

Your telephone number

Back to the Safari!

Appetizers and Hors d’oeuvres - $10,000
    Includes 4 Morutabana tickets, tent cards on serving stations, and named recognition during the event and printed on event Welcome Note

Wine and Liquor - $8,000
  Includes 4 Morutabana tickets, tent cards on the bar, and named recognition during the event and printed on event Welcome Note

Invitations and Printing - $4,000
    Includes 2 Morutabana tickets, named recognition during the event and printed on Invitation

Music and Entertainment - $2,000
    Includes 2 Morutabana tickets and named recognition during the event

All sponsorship levels include recognition and naming on the Sekolo Projects Inc. website and links to your organization if desired.

Please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 203 987 5293 if you are interested.

Thank you!

Back the Safari

The 2010 Sekolo Safari

The Sekolo Safari, Sekolo’s major fundraising event, was held at the Field Club of Greenwich on November 13th, 2010. 

The cocktail party featured silent and live auctions, a raffle, and an update on Sekolo’s programs in Namibia by founder Elizabeth Robinson.  Guest performers The Manhattan Dolls were a smash hit!

Thank you for all of your support!

                        ———————————

Check out this slide show of the Safari, and some of the fantastic auction items:

Thanks to Joanne Bouknight for all of the pictures!

 

Thanks to our sponsors!

Vineyard Vines
Lilly Pulitzer
AOC Fine Wines
Post Wines and Liquor
Stamford Tickets
Hadi Hajjar at Mirtex Corporation
The Manhattan Dolls
The Trump Organization
Nicholls Wildlife Art
Abigail de G Fox
Integrated Health Care Associates
The Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
The American Museum of Natural History

Learners at the Luderitz Soup Kitchen regularly write letters to Sekolo Projects, as part of the monitoring of the projects.  Excerpts from some of their letters are posted here.  To protect their privacy, their names have not been included.

—————      —————    —————

Soup! Soup! Soup!
Luderitz High School is well known in Namibia.  At our school every monday, wensday and friday the children that does not have alot of privileges get soup.  I want to thank the sponsors for doing this.  I have a friend that lost his mother and father.  He is in Grade 8 and lives with his aunt.  They can’t afford to give him three meals a day.  He only gets two.  Since he began with high school he took soup.  Although it is only one cup he is thankfull to it.  Another example is me.  When I was 2 weeks old my mother left meto my father.  He provided me everything I needed.  3 months ago he commited suiside.  Now I live with my grandmother.  She does not work, she looks after small kids.  So I also take soup.  This helps alot.
By a very thankfull pupil in grade 8.

—————      —————    —————

The Soup Kitchen
It is a admirable project for many reasons.  One is that the providers have put in time and effort to make the soup that feeds a majority of our school.  Many children come from homes where there is no food nor stability, the soup kitchen provides refuge to those.  It gives them food, not just in the sense that it fills their stomachs, but also because it is tasty, and allows them to excel in school work.

A hungry child cannot concentrate in class or participate in activities as hunger steals his/her thoughts, even when going home I’ve heard a few learners talking about how they look forward to the next day at lunch.  There are many greatful children, those who are orphans and also those with family problems, such as unemployment.  They look forward to having their tastebuds satisfied and their tummy filled.

—————      —————    —————

The way we are save in school
It look fun when you to get soup at school but we love soup so much with are heart.  I would like to say thanx for giving use this soup to eat because some of us we don’t come wit food at school and our familys don’t work.  But some of us we get what our familys have to get for us to eat at school.

We get many things at school that some of us we don’t get at home.  I want to ask God to give our school power so that we can have more then this.

We get bread, soup, appel at school that we can make 2 days with out eating bread in ur life.

Keep it up.

A learner in grade 8.

Return to Luderitz Secondary School CBO

The mission of Sekolo Projects Inc. is to prevent new HIV infection in young people in Namibia by providing and supporting HIV prevention education, physical care and psychosocial support for young people living with and affected by HIV / AIDS.

We are committed to making Sekolo’s programs in Namibia sustainable, and locally led, managed and monitored.  We are excited to be working with the Board of Sekolo Projects Namibia to ensure a smooth transition of responsibility.

The Board of Directors consists of 4 members, with an Executive Director.

Tom Mahoney, Chairperson
“I became a board member of Sekolo Proejcts because I believe Elizabeth’s initiative and committment to prevent new cases of HIV infection in Namibia is a worthwhile endeavor.  With one of the world’s highest infection rates, Namibia is a country in need of educational interventions to see its youth and young adult populations reach maturity.  In the course of the past year, the Namibian Ministry of Health announced that the infection rate had dropped from 19.3 to 17.8% of the adult population - a great indication that prevention education is effective.  Sekolo’s Our HIV ABC program was a contributing factor to the decline. 

Also, the support services - after school activities, meals, clothing, etc. - that Sekolo provides to children living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV plays a significant role in preventing new infections.  While the organization plays a small role in the pandemic, it makes a significant difference in one country, and I am honored to have a small role working with a committed and dedicated board of directors.”

Didi Robinson
“Watching Sekolo evolve into an accomplished organization is a source of endless pride, and having been an integral part of its journey is rewarding.  Transferring the operating responsibilities to our Namibian counterparts is challenging and will keep me participating until that goal is achieved.  We’ve all watched as millions of dollars have been spent on the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  A small organization with a small budget and smaller staff bringing about behavioral change as a sustainable means of decreasing HIV/AIDS infection is one of the most admirable approaches on the map, and I am proud to be a part of that organization.”

Bill Kiernan

Advisory Board

Sekolo’s advisory Board has ebbed and flowed with the needs of the organization, but all those who have served on the Advisory Board have provided strong positive influences in the development of the organization.  Whether guiding the organizational structure, the legal framework, the educational content or fundraising strategy, each and every member of the Advisory Board has been incalculably valuable.  Thank you!

Elizabeth oversees and monitors Sekolo’s programs in Namibia, and implements Sekolo’s annual fundraising strategies in the US.  She founded Sekolo Projects Inc. in 2004 with her husband, Geoffrey Silver.  As the organization has grown and adapted to changing needs in Namibia, Elizabeth has held several different positions at Sekolo, including facilitating teacher training workshops in Namibia during the 18 month national roll-out of Our HIV ABC, and consultant to the Board of Sekolo Projects Namibia as they strive to increase their capacity and assume full leadership of Sekolo’s programs.

Joe Toochin
“Having served for many years with the United Nations Development Programme, I was aware of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the developing world, particularly in certain parts of Africa.  I was very impressed with Elizabeth Robinson’s plans to start Sekolo Projects in Namibia to reduce HIV/AIDS infection among young people in the country.  Her method seemed simple and straightforward:  training teachers in the ABC of HIV prevention to educate their young learners.  I am gratified that Sekolo’s initiatives have contributed to the significant reductions of HIV infection in the school-age population in Namibia.  I am also pleased that Sekolo has broadened its earlier mission and is now providing support to community-based organizations that strengthen the individual self-worth of orphans and vulnerable children.  It is truly a privilege and honor for me to serve on the Board of Sekolo Projects, Inc. and to participate in such a worthwhile and important organization.”

Bill Kiernan, Treasurer
“When Elizabeth asked me to join the Board of Sekolo Projects Inc., I was pleased to be able contribute my skills and experience in tax documents and accounts to such a worthwhile cause.  It has been wonderful to be part of Sekolo as it has developed from the kitchen counter to a more structured and professional organization.  Sekolo’s direct approach to education about HIV and support for the children whose families and communities are affected by HIV has had good success.  Although the problem of HIV infection is a global one, and needs to be combatted on multiple fronts, I am proud to be part of a dedicated team that is making a significant difference in the youth HIV infection rate in Namibia.”

Click here for the 5 Year Review
5YR_Review_Aug_2010.pdf

Another successful fundraiser for Sekolo Projects!

Sekolo Sensations wine tasting and African crafts event was held on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 27th 2009, at Selleck Hall, St. Paul’s Church, Riverside. 

Over 100 people attended, raising $8,000 to support Sekolo’s HIV prevention programs in Namibia.  It was wonderful to see so many of our supporters there.  Thank you for your generous and continued help!

Sekolo Projects worked with AOC Fine Wines for Sekolo Sensations.  AOC will donate 15% of any purchase by a Sekolo donor - either online or in the store.  Just mention the code “Sekolo” when you check out.  You’ll enjoy your wine, and Sekolo will appreciate the 15% donation!

AOC Fine Wines is a network of small wine boutiques specialized in artisanal, mostly organic wines. They scour the globe in search of talented winemakers who use their expertise in service of their passion: great wine that respects the land, encouraging the optimal expression of the fruit that grows on it.  We can help the world - One bottle at a time.  AOC Fine Wines has stores in Old Greenwich, Greenwich and New Rochelle.

 

The CBO Assistance Fund supports HIV prevention in schools and school communities to provide physical care or psychosocial support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The provision of physical care and psychosocial support for OVC enables them to enroll or continue in school, and gain access to the HIV prevention education now provided by the Ministry of Education.

Through the CBO Assistance Fund, Sekolo collaborates with community groups that provide security, care and a support network for young people. The purpose of the CBO Assistance Fund is to encourage creative, community responses to HIV and AIDS. Individual communities are often better equipped to support and care for their children than external organizations, and only need financial support and guidance to make their creative responses feasible and sustainable. As community organizations are assisted in helping provide care and support to their own, the burden previously left to the extended family is eased, and the emotional support network provided by the extended family can grow as the burden of physical support is taken up by the community.

Click here for other Sekolo programs

Girls at the Omuhaturua Primary School.

Waiting for soup at the Luderitz Secondary School Red Ribbon Soup Kitchen.

Dancing with Sekolo Sunrise Kids.

TAAC holding their printed magazine.

The mission of Sekolo Projects Namibia is to prevent new HIV infection in young people in Namibia by providing and supporting HIV prevention education, physical care and psychosocial support for young people living with and affected by HIV / AIDS.

The Board of Directors consists of five members.  The Board will soon employ a Namibian National Program Coordinator who will oversee Sekolo’s programs, report to the Board and to donors, as well as fundraise to support the organisation’s mission.

At the Board Development workshop in July 2009.

Bonifatius Morwe Acting Chair
Mr. Morwe currently works with the Ministry of Education teaching grade 11 and grade 12 Mathematics.  He has served on the Sekolo Projects Namibia board since 2006.  As a passionate educator, Mr. Morwe enjoys his work with Sekolo because it directly serves the children of Namibia, broadens his own horizons internationally and enables him to keep in touch with the long term survival and success of young people.

Mr. Morwe previously taught at the Mokaleng Roman Catholic Combined School where Elizabeth Robinson was originally a volunteer teacher.  He has been a long-time and enthusiastic supporter of Sekolo Projects Inc. and witnessed the filming of the Our HIV ABC educational video in 2004 at Mokaleng. 

Helena Mungunda
Helena joined the Board in July of 2009 and most recently worked for the Academy of Educational Development (AED).  She provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Education for their HIV and AIDS workplace wellness program.  Although her work has mostly focused on adult HIV prevention, Helena is enthusiastic and passionate about working with young people to prevent the spread of HIV.  Helena is also a registered nurse, with experience in the health care system in Namibia. 

David Sampson
David served as Sekolo Projects Namibia’s first Chairperson, from August 2006 through November 2009 and Sekolo is grateful for his experience, skills and connections.  David currently works at the Ministry of Education at NIED, the National Institute for Educational Development in Namibia.  He is the Education Officer for Social Studies, HIV and AIDS and Environmental Education.

Gisela Siririka
Gisela has enthusiastically served on the Board since 2006.  She also works at NIED, where she plans, develops, designs and evaluates curriculum.  Her focus is on HIV and other cross-curricular issues.  Gisela’s background and experience in the development of HIV prevention in Namibia are a crucial foundation to the Board’s knowledge and resources. 

Maree Smit
Mrs. Smit has been on the Board since 2006 and currently works with the Namibian Ministry of Education as a Regional School Counsellor.  Her main responsibility is to provide care and support for orphans and vulnerable children in the school system in the Karas Region of southern Namibia.  Her task is monumental, with hundreds of children under her supervision and care. 

Sekolo Projects Namibia is a Namibian Welfare Organisation, registered #275.

A Board meeting in October 2009.

Mr. Bonifatius Morwe

Ms. Helena Mungunda

Mr. David Sampson

Mrs. Gisela Sirirka

Mrs. Maree Smit

This page provides the applications and guidelines for Sekolo’s two grant programmes. Please download and print the forms if you are interested!

Community Based Organization Assistance Fund

Application (Microsoft Word Document)
Guidelines (Microsoft Word Document)

Small Grants for AIDS Awareness Clubs and Windows of Hope Clubs

Small Grants Application 2009 (PDF)
Small Grants Guidelines 2009 (PDF)
Example Budget Sheet (PDF)
Monitoring & Information sheet (PDF)
Small Grants 2009 Flyer (PDF)

Sekolo Projects’ Our HIV ABC Educational Publications

All of Sekolo’s documents are available for download here and can be used or reproduced for educational purposes, provided appropriate credit is given. 

Our HIV ABC Teachers Guide
Games and Activities for AIDS Awareness Clubs
Training Follow-Up

Translations of the Our HIV ABC Glossary
Afrikaans Glossary
Damara Glossary
English Glossary
Oshikwanyama Glossary
Oshindonga Glossary
Otjiherero Glossary
Setswana Glossary

Translations of Our HIV ABC Key Concepts
Afrikaans Key Concepts
Damara Key Concepts
English Key Concepts
Oshikwanyama Key Concepts
Oshindonga Key Concepts
Otjiherero Key Concepts
Setswana Key Concepts

If you have any questions or problems, please get in touch with us:
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Fax: 061 305 000
Text message: +1 646 717 0027

Teachers at an Our HIV ABC workshop.

Click here for more workshop photos.

Make your annual gift to Sekolo now!

By check or PayPal and your gift of:

$50	will feed 1 child three times a week for the whole school year, 39 weeks
$150	will build the self-confidence of an orphaned child by providing the peer support network of weekly dance classes - reducing her vulnerability to HIV
$500	will empower 1 teacher to invigorate the HIV prevention at his/her school, educating 40-500 learners

Please make checks out to Sekolo Projects Inc.

Our mailing address is:
Sekolo Projects Inc.
PO Box 138
Old Greenwich, CT 06870

If your company has a matching gift program, please remember to fill in the appropriate form and double your donation!

————-  Sekolo Shopping for the holidays ————-

Hand-beaded Namibian ornaments
Honor someone special and keep children safe and healthy in Namibia.  With your donation of $25 or more, we’ll send a hand-beaded star or HIV ribbon ornament to the person you choose. Click here to download your Give the Gift of Charity order form, send it to us with your check, and we’ll do the rest.

A Voice in the Desert - African Gospel CD
Mokaleng CD: A Voice in the Desert is a social entrepreneurial product, a CD that blends charity and commerce.  Mokaleng School, where Elizabeth Robinson was first a volunteer teacher, has a great need for funds as most learners are unable to pay the boarding fees.  Funds from this CD help the community meet that need, in a way that celebrates their home-grown talent, and develops self-reliance towards the ultimate goal of self-funding.  See the OneAfrica news clip about Mokaleng 

Order CDs by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Sekolo UK and Going the Distance

Sekolo Projects is now a registered UK charity!  To kick off their fundraising efforts in the UK, Sekolo teamed up with three Tonbridge School students, Chris Bowdler, Max Linington and Andrew Goodman for a charity bike ride on the 19th July around the UK to raise money for Sekolo Projects. They cycled 1220 km (750 miles), unsupported, sleeping in tents that they carried with them.  They raised a phenomenal £6000 (USD9000) - thank you!

Read more about their efforts on the Tonbridge School website here, and support their ride and Sekolo Projects by donating here.

                                  ...thank you!

Tax Receipts:  Sekolo Projects is a registered 501(c)3 tax-exempt organisation in the United States. We will provide tax receipts for all donations.

See pictures from the 2010 Sekolo Safari

Our gala fundraiser this year was a great success, raising a clear $20,000 for Sekolo’s HIV prevention programs in Namibia.  Thank you for your support!

Cut it off for Charity

Chris Losito, a senior at Darien High School undertook a creative way to raise funds for Sekolo’s programs in Namibia - he accepted the dare to wear his hair in a mullet for a week.  Check out the fantastic article and pictures here. 
Thank you Chris - you’re a brave man and we appreciate your hair-style creativity!

~  Supporting business ~

Nicholls Wildlife Art

Alison Nicholls is a watercolor wildlife artist who lived in the southern African countries of Botswana and Zimbabwe for nearly 9 years.  She is a member of both the Salmagundi Club and Explorers Club in New York City and a signature member of Artists For Conservation.  She paints African wildlife in watercolor and often uses her work to raise funds for non-profit organizations in Africa.  Her work can be found online at http://www.NichollsWildlifeArt.com

AOC Fine Wines is a network of small wine boutiques specialized in artisanal, mostly organic wines. We scour the globe in search of talented winemakers who use their expertise in service of their passion: great wine that respects the land, encouraging the optimal expression of the fruit that grows on it.  AOC will donate 15% of your purchase, in store or online, when you use the code “Sekolo” at check-out.  Enjoy your wine, and support Sekolo!

ATI Holidays

If you’re traveling to southern Africa, especially Namibia, Botswana or South Africa, David and Charlotte will make sure you have the best trip possible.  Their experienced team have stayed in every place they’ll book for you, and can give you all the insider secrets.  Start your stay with a visit to the last homely house before the wilds, at their Rivendell Guesthouse in Windhoek.

Goodsearch and GoodShop

You can also support Sekolo Projects Inc by using GoodSearch and GoodShop.  GoodSearch is a search engine - just like google - but for every time you search, GoodSearch gives Sekolo a penny!  Just make sure you enter “Sekolo” in the “Who do You Search for?” bar.

Similarly, GoodShop is a portal for your online shopping.  GoodShop includes more than 900 of the top Internet retailers and travel sites like Amazon, eBay, iTunes, Target, Apple, Expedia. They’ve all agreed to donate part of every purchase to Sekolo, at no additional cost to you.  Just enter “Sekolo” as the charity you want to support.  And, thank you!

Sekolo Projects Namibia
P.O. Box 8463
Bachbrecht
Windhoek, NAMIBIA
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Sekolo Projects Inc.
P.O. Box 138
Old Greenwich, CT 06870, USA
Phone: +1 203 987 5293
Skype: Sekolo Projects Inc. 
Call Sekolo Projects via Skype
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Contact our Executive Director, Elizabeth Robinson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Sekolo Projects
UK Registered Charity
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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Organizational History

Sekolo Projects Inc

Sekolo Projects Inc was founded in 2004 by Elizabeth Robinson and her partner, Geoffrey Silver.  Elizabeth spent 2 years volunteering in Namibia as an English teacher, teacher-trainer and HIV prevention teacher, under the auspices of WorldTeach, a program developed by the Harvard School of International Development. 

On Elizabeth’s return to the US, she and Geoffrey founded Sekolo Projects Inc. to build on Elizabeth’s experiences in Namibia and support the work of her colleagues in their fight against the spread of HIV.

Sekolo was incorporated in July 2004 and received 501(c)3 status from the IRS in October of the same year. Sekolo means ‘school’ in the Tswana language, which was spoken in Aminuis.

Geoffrey Silver researched, filmed and produced an educational video about HIV with Elizabeth and the learners at the Mokaleng Roman Catholic Combined School, where she had been a volunteer.  Elizabeth compiled a Teacher’s Guide to accompany the video.  In February 2005, Elizabeth returned to Namibia to liaise with the HIV/AIDS Management Unit (HAMU) of the Ministry of Education to introduce the Our HIV ABC classroom video and Teacher’s Guide as a key component of the HIV training of Namibia’s secondary school teachers.

In July 2005, HAMU began working with Sekolo to roll-out the program to the rest of the country. The pilot phase of Our HIV ABC was completed in summer 2005: 72 teachers in four of Namibia’s 13 regions received a 1-day workshop, peer-educational classroom video, teacher’s guide and translations of key components into local languages.

The full roll-out of Our HIV ABC was completed in August 2006. In all, 921 teachers at 564 schools received training and materials to lead their AIDS Clubs. An additional 215 sets of materials were distributed.

Over 45,000 young people received accurate and Namibian-presented information based on the integrated ABC of Abstinence, Be faithful and use a Condom.

Sekolo Projects Namibia

Sekolo Projects Namibia is a Namibian Welfare Organisation, the legal equivalent of a US 501(c)3 non-profit in the US. It was founded in August 2006 by Geoffrey Silver and Elizabeth Robinson, then Project Manager and President of Sekolo Projects Inc. Sekolo Projects Namibia brings together passionate individuals in the Namibian education sector to guide and direct Sekolo’s programs in response to its mission. The Sekolo Projects Namibia board of directors will sustain and guide Sekolo’s work in Namibia, continuing our work to provide and support HIV prevention education.

Sekolo Projects Namibia will eventually take over the management and funding of all projects run by Sekolo Projects Inc. Currently, Sekolo Projects Inc and Sekolo Projects Namibia collaborate in directing and implementing all Sekolo programs.

The start-up Board of Sekolo Projects Namibia, August 2006.

Sekolo Projects Inc

Board of Directors
Tom Mahoney, Chairperson, Director, Office of Special Clinical Services, Greenwich Department of Health
Katrina Robinson, Secretary
William Kiernan, Treasurer
Joseph Toochin

Staff
Elizabeth Robinson, Executive Director and founding President

Sekolo Projects Namibia

Board of Directors
Bonifatius Morwe, Acting Chair
Helena Mungunda
David Sampson
Gisela Siririka
Maree Smit

Sekolo Projects Namibia Board members, Gisela Siririka, David Sampson and Maree Smit with the Sekolo Sunrise Kids banner.

Board member Boni Morwe with Sekolo Sunrise Kids facilitator, Sisi, during a site visit.

 

 

 

 

 

Sekolo Projects Inc, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation

Sekolo Projects Namibia is a Namibian Welfare Organisation, registered with the Ministry of Heath, no. 275

Sekolo Projects is a charity registered in England and Wales, no. 1136316

Sekolo’s Our HIV ABC program was grounded in our belief in the sustainability of training teachers in the “combined HIV ABC” of Abstinence, Be faithful and Consistent and Correct Condom use. Our workshops discussed the limitations of the ABC, incorporate additional components on stigma, voluntary counseling, testing and care (VCTC), prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), and how to care for and work with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). We encouraged all our teachers to get tested and tell their colleagues and students about testing.  The initial implementation of Our HIV ABC was completed in August of 2006. 

The Our HIV ABC Teacher’s Guide includes definitions of the A, B, and C as well as discussion questions for use in a classroom situation.  The guide’s definitions and it’s detailed glossary have been translated into several Namibian languages.  All of Sekolo’s educational documents, including translations, are available here. 

The Our HIV ABC Teacher’s Guide is meant to used in conjunction with the Our HIV ABC Classroom Video, shown in 4 segments below, courtesy of Acis Productions.  The video is entirely youth presented and includes definitions, discussions, and drama’s relating to Abstinence, Being faithful, and Condom use.  The final segment of the video is a demonstration of both male and female condoms by learners. 

“Our HIV ABC” - 1) HIV Introduction from Acis Productions on Vimeo.

A – Abstinence: The only sure way of preventing HIV transmission through sexual activity. Abstinence only works if it is an informed abstinence. Encouraging delay and minimizing potential exposure are essential in fighting rising HIV rates in young people.

“Our HIV ABC” - 2) Abstinence from Acis Productions on Vimeo.

B – Be Faithful: Fighting HIV from the classroom is about encouraging people to make informed decisions, to keep themselves safe, to use their education in a full adult life. Reducing partner numbers and knowing and trusting your partner is part of the individual’s armory against infection - but B alone is no protection.

“Our HIV ABC” - 3) Be faithful from Acis Productions on Vimeo.

C - Consistent and Correct Condom use: Without correct condom knowledge and when placed in real life situations, young people are at risk from abuse and infection. Condom use reduces the spread of STIs whose presence greatly increases the chance of HIV transmission.

“Our HIV ABC” - 4) use a Condom from Acis Productions on Vimeo.

Teachers practice demonstrating the female condom during a workshop in Oshakati.

Click here to see more workshop photos.

The initial implementation of Our HIV ABC was completed in August of 2006.  Our HIV ABC gave immediate and sustainable improvement to Namibia’s HIV prevention effort through: 

• 53 teacher-training workshops for HIV / AIDS contact teachers
• 921 teachers trained at 564 secondary schools
• Provision of classroom tools and materials to all secondary schools in Namibia
• Engaging up to 45,000 students (aged 12-19) with HIV prevention information

A workshop participant.

Praise for Our HIV ABC

The response to the Our HIV ABC program was consistently positive.  Here are selected comments from participating teachers.

“[The Our HIV ABC video] became my powerful tool as before we start with every lesson or session, the learners demanded for the video to be shown first!” (Khomas Region, Precilina Hoveka)

“I feel much more comfortable to talk about issues like sex and demonstrating condoms to the learners. I also learned that spreading the information of abstinence could be a good solution because a lot of people in our community now abstain.” (Oshana Region, Ashilonga Maria)

“Other teachers used [the materials] as well, in their lessons, especially the Life Science teachers and the Life Skills teachers.” (Oshikoto Region, Ndinelago Ngulu)

Ms. Robinson leading discussion during a workshop.

“We also showed the video to the teachers at school.” (Oshikoto Region, Mr. Petrus Asser)

“I gained knowledge about how AIDS is spread and the prevention measures to be taken. I have learned how to teach learners in a conducive atmosphere to HIV and AIDS.” (Omusati Region, Sikwanga Humphrey)

“I really gained most useful knowledge like how to demonstrate use of a female condom correctly, how to lead ‘be faithful’ discussions, and also many games during the workshop.” (Oshana Region, Aili Amadhila)

The Deputy Minister of Education in Namibia wrote at the conclusion of Our HIV ABC to thank Sekolo Projects for its work in HIV prevention. She commended Sekolo Projects’ collaboration with the Ministry of Education and encouraged Sekolo to continue providing effective and relevant programming.

An Our HIV ABC workshop in Ongwediva.

Globally, 33 million people were living with HIV in 2007. Two-thirds of those affected by the epidemic live in sub-Saharan Africa: 67% of all people living with HIV and 75% of AIDS deaths in 2007 were in sub-Saharan Africa.

Young people aged 15–24 account for almost half of all new HIV infections worldwide.

In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 12 million children under age 18 have lost one or both parents to HIV. National adult HIV infection levels are highest in southern Africa, including Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Namibia.

In Namibia, the adult HIV prevalence rate is 17.8% and in 2007, an estimated 200,000 people were living with HIV in Namibia. As the second most sparsely populated country in the world and the country with the highest income disparity, Namibia’s HIV epidemic has significant and dire impact on young people. “The United Nations reports that the poorest 20 percent of Namibia’s population earns only 1.4 percent of the national income versus the richest 20 percent of the population that earns 78.7 percent of the national income. Household food security and access to services are limited for the vast majority of the population.”

Background on HIV and HIV in Namibia: versus the richest 20 percent of the population that earns 78.7 percent of the national income. Household food security and access to services are limited for the vast majority of the population.”

The depth and breadth of poverty in Namibia contributes to the widespread impact of HIV, with the burden increasingly on young people. The number of orphans and vulnerable children is increasing dramatically as parents and caretakers succumb to the disease. The extended family is rapidly becoming overburdened and unable to care for these children. Namibia’s population is young, with 70% of Namibians under the age of 30 and 43% under the age of 15. In Namibia alone, about 120,000 children under age 17 have lost one or both parents; about 57,000 of these children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

The HIV epidemic varies in intensity and severity throughout the country, with prevalence rates as low as 4.7% and as high as 31.7%. The spread of HIV/AIDS is exacerbated by high unemployment rates, poverty and violence against women and children. Mostly due to the HIV epidemic, life expectancy in Namibia has dropped by 10 years in the last decade. At 52, life expectancy is now at the level it was in 1970.

For more information, read the BBC’s Namibia country profile here.

Sekolo works with Namibia’s Regional Counsellors to distribute donated clothing and toiletries to orphans and vulnerable children in school. Youth groups and school clubs in the United States collect the items and fundraise for shipping costs. The items are sent directly to the Regional Counsellors in Namibia’s 13 educational regions. Regional Counsellors work individually with children living with HIV or who are affected by the virus. They distribute the donated items directly to children in their care.

A big thank you to Mr. Hadi Hajjar and Mirtex Trading Corp!  Mr. Hajjar donated over 50 fleece blankets, more than 200 toothbrushes, and 200 pairs of school uniform socks for orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia.  Elizabeth took the donation to Namibia in October 2009 and delivered them to Sisi, one of Sekolo’s Project Facilitators in Oshakati.  The items will be included in the children’s Christmas gifts this year, bringing smiles and confidence to the children who receive them.  We gave away two blankets early, much to the delight of these girls!

In April 2009, the Confirmation class at Christ Church Greenwich collected and shipped 30 boxes of donated clothes and toiletries to be distributed to children in Namibia.  The clothing arrived in May, just as the weather turned cold in Namibia.  Some of the Regional Counsellors sent back photos of the children they helped:

The shack where these learners lived burned down and they lost everything.  Sekolo gave them clothes for the winter.

 
Children at this Day Care Center received Sekolo’s donated clothes also.  The Day Care Center is located in the shack town called the “DRC,” outside Swakopmund. (above and right)

Rosalia was thrilled to receive her new fleece blanket!

The pile of donated items from Mirtex - 40 fleece blankets, 200+ toothbrushes, and 200 school uniform socks.

Monica was excited to take her blanket back to the school dormitory with her.

The Small Grants Program provides funding for AIDS Awareness Clubs and Windows of Hope Clubs.  The grants support team-building activities to strengthen self-confidence and community outreach activities which share information between learners and the adults in their communities.

Activities that build self-confidence and team spirit create networks that help keep young people healthy. Encouraging young people to help educate others empowers them to make their own decisions and take control of their own future.

The Small Grants Program will fund forty grass roots, creative activities at the school level: 10 grants each in 4 of the neediest regions of Namibia. The Small Grants Program is active in the Kunene, Kavango, Omaheke and Karas Regions.

Both Kunene and Karas Regions, in the far north-west and the far south, are fairly un-populated. Because of their inhospitable terrain and the distance from the capital city of Windhoek, these areas of Namibia are often overlooked by government programs and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  Omaheke is on the edge of the Kalahari Desert to the East, and like the Karas Region further south, is the inhospitable home of the marginalized and minority San and Tswana ethnic groups.

The Small Grants Program has real impact: At its roots, it supports young people to participate in educational activities that help prevent the spread of HIV. These activities reach between 40 and 500 students each, depending on the size of the school and HIV/AIDS Awareness Club.

Small Grants in Action

The learners at Rakutuka Primary School wanted to get the message out to their peers and their community about HIV.  The Windows of Hope Club applied for a small grant to paint the walls outside their school.  Once the learners planned what messages they wanted to paint, the action started!  They sent us these pictures of their mural, and click here to see the letter one learner wrote to us in appreciation!

Downloads

Small Grants Application 2009 (PDF)
Small Grants Guidelines 2009 (PDF)
Example Budget Sheet (PDF)
Monitoring & Information sheet (PDF)
Small Grants 2009 Flyer (PDF)

Regions where the Small Grants Program is active.

               

Windows of Hope Clubs draw “My Special Balloons” with materials provided through Sekolo’s Small Grants Program.

Mission Statement

The mission of Sekolo Projects is to prevent new HIV infection in young people in Namibia by providing and supporting HIV prevention education, physical care and psychosocial support for young people living with and affected by HIV / AIDS.

In Namibia, the scale of the HIV epidemic is exacerbated by a complexity of ingrained and interlocking social problems, including poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and the subordination of women. Providing emotional and physical support for young people living with the virus and those whole lives are affected by it, especially girls, builds self-confidence and strengthens a positive peer community which protects a child from the risks of HIV infection.

Community Based Organization (CBO) Assistance Fund

The CBO Assistance Fund supports HIV prevention in schools and school communities to provide physical care or psychosocial support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The provision of physical care and psychosocial support for OVC enables them to enroll or continue in school, and gain access to the HIV prevention education now provided by the Ministry of Education.

Small Grants for AIDS Awareness Clubs

These Small Grants provide funding for AIDS Awareness Clubs and Windows of Hope Clubs.  The grants support team-building to strengthen self-confidence and community outreach activities which share information between learners and the adults in their communities.

Donations for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Sekolo Projects Inc. donates clothing and toiletries for orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia.  Working with school or church groups, we collect gently used winter clothing for children.  The participating groups raise funds for shipping the boxes directly to Namibia’s Regional Education Counsellors who distribute the clothes and toiletries.

• CBO Assistance Fund
• Small grants for AIDS awareness
• Donations for orphans and vulnerable children
• HIV in Namibia
• Our HIV ABC

Sekolo Sunrise Kids