* Due to current Covid-19 restrictions this program is not currently running.
The Powerhouse Sports Program was born in prayer in February 2008. I remember the Lord speaking so clearly to me “I want you to start to play sports with children”. I replied, “Lord I don’t think I want to do that”, but it was very clear that this was the voice of God. As we prayed more about this, it became clear God wanted to use this to influence young people, and I sensed if we had enough children participating in this program we could influence the environment at schools.
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Children in Powerhouse Sports -
Teaching at Powerhouse Sports -
Powerhouse Sports in Dimajwe -
Powerhouse Sports in Dimajwe -
Powerhouse coaches left to right: Mavis, Oarabile, Boitumelo and Thato -
Children in Powerhouse Sports -
Powerhouse Sports -
Powerhouse Sports
We began in March of 2008, going house to house in an area called Botshabelo, at the time one of the hardest hit areas from the HIV Pandemic, and well known for social struggles and poverty. We began with 100 children (ages 9 – 14) and in time the program grew to include two other sites reaching over 600 children. We thought we were on our way of reaching our target of 2000 children! Then something amazing happened! While new school schedules began to affect our after school Powerhouse Sports Program attendance, local government officials now aware of the changes taking place in many of the children’s lives due to our program, asked us to consider starting an In- School HIV Prevention Program in the Junior and Senior Secondary Schools. And we did!
Over the years these two programs in addition to the morning assemblies at two different primary schools each week, have allowed us to reach 7000 - 10000 plus young people annually for five of the last seven years. Although schools have been positively impacted by the program, evidenced by teen pregnancy rates dropping, less disciplinary issues and improved academic performances, we are finding it more difficult to reach the schools as the government has changed policies that have negatively affected time availability. We ask for your prayers that once the Covid 19 lock-downs are lifted that God will guide us so we can increase His influence in these children’s lives (as well as impact school staffing).
Current Opportunities:
We currently have requests to start our Powerhouse Sports Program in two other areas in Botswana. These are in the villages of Shashemooke and Dimajwe, where we have started churches. We would need an increase of support of $1000 US dollars a month, $500 dollars a month for each village to begin. Would you like to invest in these villages and hundreds, even potentially thousands of children’s lives by sponsoring these new outreaches?
Our Approach
Role models. Our coaches serve as role models and mentors who encourage the children to make positive decisions in 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 speak with many of the parents, making home visits to get input from them on how the child is doing, to see if more intervention in needed.
On-going needs. We are often in need of additional or new sports equipment for this ongoing Program. Please consider becoming a monthly partner of this proven and successful program reaching children ages 9 – 14 with the gospel, life lessons, providing mentors, building character and feeding the underprivileged.
Power talks. These 10-15 minute character building lessons are reinforcing positive moral values, Biblical principles and good decision making. By touching a variety of subjects and utilizing different teaching techniques we also seek to break the cycle of HIV.
Positive self-esteem. By encouraging children when they do well both in sports and in their overall behavior our coaches facilitate an atmosphere of positive self-esteem and personal value. We believe these are key factors to ward off some of the pitfalls leading to poor decision making and the risk of future HIV infections.
Sense of belonging. Participating children receive a sense of belonging, and being part of a bigger family causes them to desire to comply to positive peer pressure. They understand the expectations of the program are not just to be practiced when at the field, but extend into the home, school, and everyday life.
Ongoing contact. By meeting with children twice weekly, ongoing contact is used to motivate the children to keep moving in a positive direction, and as a means of reinforcing positive character traits and Biblical principles.
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. To help provide nutritional needs and combat malnutrition we prepare and feed the children meals on a regular basis, helping to insulate the children from turning to negative behavior to fulfill these needs. Since our projects inception we have served over 250,000 meals to children. We have also been able to offer the children quite a bit of clothing, shoes, jackets, etc.
Community involvement. In the past our program has received visits and encouragement from the Botswana Football (Soccer) Association and the National Football (Soccer) Team. Also, government officials, police commissioners and respected members of society have come to visit our program and address the children - encouraging them that they are on the right track.
This program has also opened doors for us to speak weekly at the local school, increasing our impact. Powerhouse Sports has also been able to link local schools here with book suppliers, help stock libraries, and assist with special needs testing. Most recently, we were able to connect 20 nearby schools with a supplier who donated electronic white boards.