The Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Botswana team, accompanied by artist Mr Setshwantsho, travelled to Seronga between 16 and 19 September 2022, to create a map of Botswana, including its physical features. Social Studies is one of our national primary schools’ required subjects, to promote children’s knowledge about the environment, physical and human geography.
Seronga Primary School teachers were facing a challenge in academic performance of their children in this subject/module, which requires them to know the physical features, and districts and regions, in Botswana. When shown a map of Botswana, most of the children at the school could not point out where their own district is, or what beautiful physical features (e.g. the Okavango Delta, etc.) are found in their rich region.
The school management took a bold step and approached CITW to assist them with creating a map mural depicting Botswana’s districts, regions and physical features, in order to overcome this situation.
CITW and Seronga Primary School agreed on this initiative, in the belief that it will reinforce the school curriculum by providing a good opportunity to remind the children of what they learn during their lessons. The team also thought of creating a wow factor with the paint colours, to attract the attention of children.
CITW believes that creating the map on a wall will encourage children appreciate that learning can take place anywhere, not just inside the classroom. It is hoped this initiative will also attract community members (youth and parents) to visit the school, to study the feature, and hopefully help them market their village to visitors.
The school management and children appreciated the initiative, which will serve as a reference and teaching benefiting the school educationally, and contributing to better academic results. The mural will also help inculcate a sense of appreciation of the beauty of Botswana’s natural resources.
The Children in the Wilderness Botswana team would like to direct their special gratitude to the Ministry of Basic Education, Seronga Primary School Management and Teachers, and the artist, Mr Setshwantsho, for the significant roles they all played to make sure that this initiative is successful.
Report by Gaba Modirapula
