Before this latest school break we had 300 children attending in just our Botshabelo branch three days a week. Size has dropped to 200 as many children have upcoming exams in october and are putting in extra long school days.
Powerhouse Sports is a Christian based community sports program aimed at HIV- Aids prevention among youth. Established in March of 2008, we currently have a total of 400 children ages 9-17 participating in our three different locations, meeting up to four times weekly. This requires sixteen (16) part time coaches. By using sports as a means to assemble the children, we are then using a multi-faceted approach to achieve our goal of protecting and preventing these young people from new infections.
Role Models – Our coaches serve as role models and mentors who encourage the children to make positive decisions with their lives. Children are encouraged to strive to do well at school, as well as to be models of good behavior in their daily lives. Our coaches also talk with many of the parents, and make home visits to encourage the children at home as well as get feedback from the parents on how the child is doing and if more specific role modeling and counseling is needed.
Power Talks – Each time the children assemble we are re-enforcing positive moral values, biblical principals and good decision making among the children. By touching a variety of subjects we touch HIV prevention without information fatigue, and really without the children knowing it is our goal.
Positive Self Esteem – By encouraging children when they do well, both in sport and in their behavior our coaches facilitate an atmosphere of positive self – esteem and personal value. We believe these are key facets to ward off some of the pitfalls related with behaviors that lead to HIV infections.
Sense Of Belonging – Our children receive a sense of belonging, as being part of a bigger family and are filled with a desire to comply to positive peer-pressure. They understand the expectations of the program are not just to be practised when at the field, but extend into the home, school, and everyday life.
Ongoing Contact – By meeting with the children several times weekly, ongoing contact is used to motivate the children to keep moving in a positive direction.
Genuine Faith – Children are encouraged to follow the Lord and seek to serve Him with their lives. Prayer takes place at every meeting, not as a formality but as a way to acknowledge who they live for.
Provision Of Basic Needs – Our program has been able to offer the children quite a bit of clothing, shoes, jackets, etc. as well as feeding meals on a regular basis. In 2010 we prepared and served approxiametly 35,000 meals. Besides helping with these needs, we are also trying to insulate the children from turning to negative behavior to fulfill these needs.
Community Involvement – Our program has received visits and encouragement from the BFA (Botswana Football/ Soccer Assoc.) who took time to do a short training with the children as well as take them to the towns stadium (via the national teams official bus). Also through teachings/speaches the Minister of Lands, National Soccer coaches, and other members of society have helped to encourage the children they are on the right track.
HIV – Aids is a national crisis here in Botswana. It is such a tremendous blessing and priveledge to be a significant part of the molding and shaping of these precious children.There are so many more children who can benefit from this program who need to be reached. We feel what we are doing is working but help is needed so we can expand our effects.
Some of the Children received blankets, buckets and some toys from local stores
Kids enjoy some Macoroni, something most would never have at home.
Children have a range of sports to choose from. Here coach and Pastor Gordon has the boys who frequent soccer.
Interest in softball is growing and here I was teaching the kids throwing by using tires to throw at. 
Some of the girls prefer choir and at our second powerhouse site, Gordon leads choir.
We now have two Powerhouse programs running and are thinking of starting number three at the beginning of next year!
