Choose Life

The Choose Life project centred around a locally produced radio drama series designed for 8- to 12-year-olds which was adapted from the Soul City Soul Buddyz radio drama series. Messages for the radio series were extensively researched amongst the prospective audience, gatekeepers, and various stakeholders to meet the needs of young audiences in Botswana. The research also involved young people at schools and stakeholders like the Ministry of Education, Childline, and Botswana Network of People Living With HIV and AIDS (BONEPWA).

The 10-minute, 26-episode drama series communicated about health and development issues and explored various life skills messages, as well as issues related to disability, road safety, bullying, child abuse, gender relations, corporal punishment in schools, HIV/AIDS, and community mobilisation. The radio drama series aimed to deliver positive messages that addressed health issues that were pertinent to children. It also hoped to break the stereotype that children are incapable of making informed choices and reinforce the message that children can be active citizens in society. The series was designed to appeal not only to children but also to the parents and teachers of the children. The series used local artists and was broadcast in Setswana.

Choose Life also produced 3 printed booklets between 2002 and 2007:

1. Love, Life and HIV/AIDS - The booklet covers issues related to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and safe sex practices. The key message is to abstain from having sex until one is older. 420,000 copies of this booklet were distributed in October 2005.
2. Enuff Is Enuff: Stop Abuse of Women and Girls (Violence Against Women) - Topics include the definition of abuse and all its forms, domestic violence, sexual harassment, women's rights as human rights, and rape. 400,000 copies of the booklet were distributed to all secondary schools (public and private) and youth centres around the country in February 2007. Click here to view the publication on Google ebooks.
3. Life Skills for Young Botswana - The booklet looks at relationships, sexuality, life skills, and alcohol and drug abuse. 300,000 copies of the booklet were distributed nationally to schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government departments from August 2007 through October 2007.

Children, Youth, HIV/AIDS.

According to the organisers, programmes in each country have had a significant impact on young people and adults. Knowledge about HIV and gender violence was generally higher among people who had been exposed to the programming, and attitudes around these issues were generally more positive and progressive for those who had been exposed.