Bournville students on BTEC First National Diploma in Childcare took part in a fundraising project to support children in Botswana. The project was initiated by Sue Gaffey – Curriculum Leader (Early Years) and Wendy Church – Lecturer in Pre-Vocational Studies at Bournville College.
Wendy is passionate and very involved in supporting Botswana’s orphans, children with disabilities and those suffering with AIDS and HIV. She said: ‘Botswana is one of the most stable African countries politically, however, has the world’s second highest number of people suffering with AIDS or HIV. It is predicted that around 200,000 orphans will be left in Botswana as a result of high mortality rate connected to AIDS.
Wendy still regularly visits Botswana where she and her best friend Dr Elizabeth Gillett, help to run two day care centres and a counselling centre. Her passion encouraged Bournville childcare students to make their contribution towards helping these children.
The students had a tough job to do, thinking of a range of games and other presents they could prepare for the children. Kate Hibbert, a childcare student, said: ‘There are huge cultural differences between Botswana and the UK and so we had to think hard about relevant presents.’
Students chose to prepare a range of games and interactive activities for the children which involved use of basic numeracy and literacy, as well as hand-eye co-ordination. Some of the games included lacing and threading, matching of 2D and 3D shapes, hopscotch and a parachute game with a set of instructions. The next stage of the project will involve students doing fundraising activities.
We reserve the right not to publish content which is deemed unsuitable