STEM Education in Botswana: Girls Getting Geeky

On September 28th, 2023, Stepping Stones International (SSI) embarked on a groundbreaking journey towards a sustainable future under the theme, "Advancing nature and positive solutions for net zero and a sustainable future." The event was graced by a distinguished guest, Petra Pereyra, Her Excellency, The EU Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, and various stakeholders who gathered to celebrate this momentous achievement. The event marked the official launch of a Solar Power Initiative that will not only shine the light on SSI but also inspire environmental stewardship among beneficiaries and the community.

Before the solar power launch, our beneficiaries and staff took an active role in making an important impact on our different communities. They engaged in trash collection campaigns. However, this commitment didn't stop there; they transformed the collected trash into stunning pieces of art, an innovative and creative way to underscore our dedication to environmental conservation.

The art items, beautifully showcased during the event, served as tangible representations of how SSI is striving to "go green." But the impact runs deeper than aesthetics and environmental awareness. It profoundly affects the organization's beneficiaries in several ways:

Through these initiatives, SSI beneficiaries learn about the importance of responsible waste management and renewable energy sources. They are learning valuable life skills, fostering a sense of responsibility towards their environment, and gaining insights into potential career paths in sustainable practices.

The art pieces crafted from collected trash exemplify the potential for economic opportunities that benefit both the organization and the community. By repurposing waste into art, SSI not only reduces environmental impact but also promotes entrepreneurship and innovation among beneficiaries.

The projects, including the Solar Power Initiative, encourage a culture of environmental awareness and sustainability. These efforts underscore the organization's commitment to a greener future and instill these values in the young minds of our beneficiaries.

As Her Excellency, Ms. Petra Pereyra inaugurated the Solar Power Initiative alongside Chris Manger from Eco Solar Company, she underscored the importance of such holistic endeavors in fostering sustainable development. The solar power launch is set to provide clean and sustainable energy for SSI and the community it serves.

The event’s theme was a powerful testament to the organization's commitment to advancing not only our beneficiaries but the environment as well. SSI’s journey towards sustainability stands as a beacon of hope for a brighter, greener future.

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• Solar Panel System Launch

Our beneficiaries across the country face a daily crisis in trying to collect anything that can act as fuel. Many of them don’t have access to electricity and some walk many kilometres just to collect wood or do not have the money to buy gas for a standard oven.

In this activity our in school participants learned about solar energy and how it can solve some of the household problems they have. A solar oven can give them the ability to cook food, using the sun’s natural heat. Part of the materials used during this activity were recycled from the participants homes like small boxes painted black inside, which they used to trap some of the sun's energy to make the air inside the box hotter than the air outside the box. They also used aluminium foils to direct the sun in to the box. Other materials included cling wrap, scissors and seal tapes.

To test the oven design, it was placed in the direct sun on a sunny day when the outdoor temperature was at least 28 degrees Celsius since this was during winter time. To see if the design was a success, it had to melt marshmallows and chocolate to make s’mores. After 30 minutes, results were showing and the food items had melted. The participants had a s’more party!

After this activity, during a focus group the participants shared that this is something that they will be sharing with their family members to save money for electricity and firewood and promote going green for a healthier and safe environment.