WHO We Are
Ghetto Artists is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that was duly registered in 1997 with the Registrar of Societies under Certificate Number CR 5133 . It was formed to educate and empower the community of Francistown and surrounding areas, primarily using the performing arts linked with life-skills education to address various community concerns across all age categories. Our M
ission
Our mission is to promote positive Behavioural Change amongst priority groups through cultural Artistic Forms (thus Drama, Poetry, Music, and Story Telling) linked with Life Skills Education. Promote HIV prevention and sexual reproductive health through life-skills education among youth aged 15-35 in rural and urban areas in the North of Botswana.
2. Educate and Empower the vulnerable populations on social problems and encouraging positive behavioural change
3. Encourage the community to take up theatre as a tool of information dissemination
4. Increase knowledge on any societal problems among the community of North of Botswana
5. Promote and preserve Botswana Culture in Francistown and surrounding areas
6. Promote partnership ,to develop and upscale theatre and life skills programs
7. Provide theatre and life skills training for industries , in and out of school youth, faith based communities and children
Our History
Since formation Ghetto Artists have implemented various projects:
Children’s theatre funded by World Bank in 2002.The project’s target was primary schools in the North-East District on the basic facts about HIV and incorporating these messages into drama. The main objective was to increase knowledge among young people and equip them with life skills education.
Sexual Transmitted Infections Campaigns funded by African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP) in 2006-The organisation implemented these campaigns in Sheebens, bars, schools, and shopping complexes mainly focusing on addressing risky sexual behaviours.
Multiple Concurrent Partnerships (MCP) funded by Population Service International Botswana (PSI) from 2008 to 2010.This project aimed at increasing knowledge among the communities of Francistown through performing arts .
Dzalobana Arts Festival funded by World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP,UNFPA,DMSAC, NACA ,Department of Youth Sports and Culture in 2002-2010- This was an annual festival aimed at promoting Culture and Arts for behavioral Change.
Prevention of Mother to child Transmission (PMTCT) Campaigns funded by the Ministry of health in 2004.These campaigns were implemented throughout the country , the aim of the project was to increase knowledge among the communities through drama. Alcohol Awareness’ Campaigns funded by BOCONGO 2013. The project was aimed at enlightening young people aged 15-35 to be conscious of their actions when they engage in risky behaviours and impart life skills to young people in the fight against alcohol consumption
Water Conservation Campaigns-Funded by UNDP/GEFSGP
Multiple Concurrent Partnerships funded by National Coordinating Agency ( NACA) 2010-2015.
Road Safety Campaigns funded by MVA 2013-2014- The project was addressing one of the key causes of road accidents – the attitudes and behaviors of road users. The awareness campaigns were conducted in all catchment areas of Francistown through performing arts
Kalahari Conservation Society-Human Wildlife Coexistence Project 2014. The aim of this project was :To mitigate human-wildlife conflict through proactive prevention interventions in selected rural communities in Northern Botswana; and (ii) to offer local people in the project areas employment choices in wildlife-based tourism to benefit directly from the presence of wildlife.
Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme-2014-2015- Ghetto Artists reached 8 Primary schools at rural areas on Water Resource and Sanitation Management. The project began with consultation meetings with the schools, community leaders, stakeholders and other implementing partners, followed by trainings and rehearsals, which were done prior to the competition. Schools were competing in different categories for the period of 24 months.
Water Conservation Campaigns funded by Empowerment of Non State Sctors-2015-2016- Ghetto Artists received financial support from Empowerment of Non-State Actors to implement Every Drop Counts Project .The project aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness among youth on significance of safe water in Botswana targeting youth aged 10+ in 8 schools.
Ghetto Artists Produced three videos; One Love funded by National AIDS Coordinating Agency, Voluntary Counselling Testing and , SRH, in partnership with Africa Youth Alliance and a Documentary on Human Wildlife Coexistence funded by Department of Wildlife and National Parks including Kalahari Conservation Society –These videos were produced for educational purposes
Therefore the organisation has received few awards as part of recognition by various stakeholders
• 1999: 2nd Best Group Award in Drama Competitions facilitated by SADC Mozambique
• 1999 and 2002 won best entry for national youth service awards
• 2003 – Innovation day award for Southern Africa
• 2006 – Best award in the fight against HIV/AIDS and Youth Development, we had trained youth on life skills and encouraged engagement in development activities.
• 2011-3rd Position at Presidential Competition at regional competition/level under Drama Category
• 2013-1st position at Presidential Competition at regional level- under Drama Category
• 2013- 2nd position at Presidential Competition at National level- under Drama Category
• 2015- Best theatre group in the Northern part of Botswana-This was a competition of all Arts Category where Ghetto Artists took part and was nominated by the community of Francistown and other areas in Botswana
• 2015- Best theatre group in the Northern part of Botswana-This was a competition of all Arts Category where Ghetto Artists took part and was nominated by the community of Francistown and other areas in Botswana
