Taking the opportunity to provide Eco-Club members with practical knowledge outside the classroom, and to connect their theory learning with real-world industrial and enterprise activities, the Children in the Wilderness Botswana (CITW) team organised an educational field trip for Shashe Primary Eco-Club learners to the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) in Maun on the 20th of August 2026. Thirty-five learners from Standards 5 and 6 participated, accompanied by two Eco-Club Co-ordinators.
During their visit to the BMC, Mr Letlhogonolo Kesietswe, the BMC Production Manager, explained the importance of safety and hygiene within a meat-processing environment, and the learners were briefed on the precautions that must be observed when entering and moving around the production areas.
The learners also gained an understanding of the beef production process, from the arrival of the cattle, to their quarantine and further processing.
The learners were then taken on a guided tour of the BMC production plant, where they observed the various stages involved in meat processing. The tour provided them with an opportunity to see how the process progresses from the receiving of cattle through processing, packaging and pricing of the final meat products.
The practical exposure helped learners develop a better understanding of the processes involved in food production, as well as the importance of animal welfare, food safety, hygiene and quality control.
Learning Outcomes
The visit to BMC enabled learners to:
- Gain practical knowledge of the beef production process
- Understand the importance of animal welfare in meat production
- Learn about safety and hygiene within an industrial environment
- Understand the importance of quality control in food production
- Observe the different stages of meat processing, packaging and pricing
- Connect classroom learning with practical, real-world experiences
The educational field trip was a valuable and engaging learning experience for Shashe Eco-Club members. The learners demonstrated enthusiasm and interest throughout the visit and gained practical knowledge that complemented their classroom learning. The exposure to the Botswana Meat Commission has broadened their understanding of different industries, business operations, food production, safety, animal welfare and quality control.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education for granting CITW permission to take the learners on this educational field trip. We greatly appreciate the Ministry’s unwavering support and commitment towards initiatives that provide children with meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom. Your continued support enables learners to explore real-world environments, broaden their knowledge and gain valuable practical experiences that contribute to their overall development.
Special appreciation is also extended to the School Management and Eco-Club Co-ordinators for their dedication, guidance and support in ensuring that the field trip was successfully organised and that learners were well supervised throughout the activity.
We further acknowledge and appreciate the parents and guardians for their co-operation, trust and support in enabling their children to participate in this educational experience. Their involvement and encouragement are essential in supporting children’s learning and development.
Finally, we extend our gratitude to the Botswana Meat Commission for welcoming the learners and providing them with an informative and practical learning experience. The knowledge and exposure gained from the field trip will contribute meaningfully to the learners’ understanding of the world around them, and reinforce the importance of learning through practical experiences.
Overall, the field trip was a success and demonstrated the value of collaboration between Children in the Wilderness, the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, schools, parents, communities and partners in providing children with enriching educational opportunities.
Compiled by Kelebogile ‘Kelly’ Baitshoki, CITW Botswana Administrator
