You Can Transform the Lives of Youth in Botswana

"I was very shy before coming to Stepping Stones International (SSI)...

I used to give up when something got hard or when I struggled to get what I wanted...

I was not able to communicate or make eye contact and was nervous to stand in front of people.

Now, I’m completely different…

I know that hard work pays off and it’s a matter of being focused and knowing what you want.

I am motivated by my business idea to start a pig farm, and I am so glad that I have the support of SSI staff to always encourage me.

- Kereng Tlou, SSI #FindtheLeaderWithin Graduate

Our Mission

To unlock the potential of vulnerable children and youth ages 12-25 through:

1. Holistic development,

2. Strengthening families and

3. Activating sustainable opportunities to become self-sufficient

Step with Stepping Stones

Join us for the 15x$15 Step with Stepping Stones International Challenge and celebrate 15 years of empowering youth in Botswana to become self-sufficient.

It's easy:

1. Make a donation of $15 or more

2. Invite 15 friends to donate $15 too!

3. Take a 15 minute walk for 15 days

4. Share videos on social media, telling us why you chose to Step with Stepping Stones International!

FAQs

Where does the money go?

Your donation will support youth in Botswana at one of the most challenging times in their lives: the transition from childhood to adulthood.

In order to become a confident, resilient young person, adolescents require specialized educational and psycho-social supports that will help them to realize their full potential.

When you donate to Stepping Stones International, you help fund priorities such as:

1. Life skills education

2. Counselling

3. Nutritional supports

4. Career development

5. Entrepreneurship training

You will directly help to ensure Botswana's young people can become leaders in their communities.

What is Stepping Stones International doing about the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented extra challenges to this important work, but the staff at Stepping Stones International are innovative and adaptive, taking every precaution to keep youth safe and help them reach their full potential.

With your support, you can foster resilience and ensure youth in Botswana overcome the most difficult of circumstances.

Can I make a gift in memory or in celebration of someone I love?

Yes you can!

This collective campaign gift will be made on December 21, 2021 in recognition of the countless contributions many Canadian volunteers have made over SSI's 16-year history (the future is bright! ;).

We would like to make a special acknowledgement of the contributions of Canadian volunteer, Stéphanie Lacroix, and her service during her Fall Semester,  while she completed the 4th year of her International Development undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa from September to November of 2014.

Tragically, we lost Stéphanie in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash in March 2019. Her legacy of generosity and light shines on at SSI.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/friends-remember-stephanie-lacroix-ottawa-1.5053032

***Please Note: Charitable Tax Receipts will be issued by Orfund Foundation, Stepping Stones International's Canadian charitable partner.***