Our AIDS Prevention program, Leadership Summit, teaches students in public schools about abstinence, leadership development, and finding life-purpose through a relationship with God. The combination of these messages is helping young people live moral lives and make wise choices.
The only thing that will truly turn the AIDS crisis around is lives transformed by the power of God. Long-lasting behavioral change can only come from a growing relationship with God. Our purpose for teaching abstinence isn’t just to prevent this next generation from contracting AIDS (although that is very strong on our hearts). Our main purpose is to lead them to becoming fully-devoted followers of Jesus. As they grow as Christ-following leaders, they will learn to make wise choices in every area of their lives — including the area of their sexuality.
There are over 200,000 students in 600+ schools in our school district. Our long-term plan is to have a coach teaching students in 1st through 12th grade in each of these schools. Imagine the impact of Godly leaders involved in young people’s lives throughout their entire school career, teaching them how to do life God’s way! That will not only change the trajectory of entire lives, but also transform this nation and continent.
Currently, 91 Leadership Summit classes are taught biweekly in 7th, 8th, and 9th grade classes in 10 schools. The classes are taught by coaches — Basotho young adults who we have trained (and continue to train) to teach, counsel, and mentor their students. Because the classes are taught peer-on-peer — by young adults who are from the same culture — the students’ hearts are more receptive to the challenging messages. Genuine relationships are built between students and coaches, providing the students a Godly leader to turn to for advice and help.
Classes are a two hours long and typically include practical games, interactive teaching, and small group discussion. Coaches also make themselves available before and after class to talk one-on-one with students.
Our coaches are incredible young leaders. They are young adults with a genuine passion to see their communities impacted by the Gospel. Each coach teaches 3 classes a week, with some classes as large as 100 students at a time. It’s challenging work — but very rewarding.
Our coaches are involved in ongoing training to ensure constant personal development. They participate in special coach-training sessions each week that focus on discipleship and leadership development. Our aim is to not only help them become more effective teachers and mentors, but also to help them grow in their relationship with God. As they fall more in love with God, they fall more in love with the people He loves. That results in more passionate teaching and more fruitful ministry.
The curriculum we teach is written, developed, and designed by our incredible team of staff. The curriculum is culturally-relevant and Biblically-based. It is practical and applicable for African youth, and is 100% founded on God’s Word.
We are currently teaching:
- Break The Silence - Revealing the truth about hot topics facing youth today
- Living On Purpose - There is something worth living for because God created you for a purpose
- Save Sex - The facts about AIDS and the importance of saving sex until marriage
Department of Education
God has given us tremendous favor with the Department of Education. They have reviewed and approved all of our materials, and have granted us permission to teach in all the schools in our district. In fact, they would like to see us teaching in all the schools in the province as soon as possible. Department of Education officials have said that they know the reason our program has worked — unlike so many other initiatives — is because of our emphasis on the importance of a relationship with God!
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God has blessed us with an amazing 2,500 acre property. See the photos.