Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL) in collaboration with Regional Psychosocial Support Initiatives (REPSSI) awarded certificates to 53 graduates of the Community Based Work with Children and Youth (CBWC&Y) programme in Gaborone at Tlotlo Conference Centre on Friday the 11th July 2014.

This is the first certificate of its kind in the country. The programme was developed by REPSSI and UNICEF Esaro in partnership with the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. Stanbic Bank sponsored ten (10) of the students on the programme.

“The initiative is in line with BOCODOL’s mandate to extend education and training to out-of-school youth and adults using Open and Distance Learning (ODL) methodologies,” said Letso Mpho, BOCODOL’s Corporate Relations and Marketing Coordinator.

 

“REPSSI partners with Governments, civil societies and stakeholders to offer programmes that strengthen communities’ and families’ competencies in order to promote the psychosocial wellbeing of their children and youth.”

 

The Certificate Programme is designed to bridge the capacity/knowledge-gap among child-care & protection providers, including volunteers who work with children and youth and is accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA).

 

The 18-month course is a practical and empowering training programme enhancing social and emotional support, child protection and the promotion of children’s rights. The programme helps to ensure that the vulnerable populations receive professional care and support, providing an unprecedented response to a demand for quality training that promotes child and youth development.

 

For more information please contact, Tel: 364 6000, or email; enquiries@bocodol.ac.bw or nancy.chimhandamba@repssi.org.