StartUp4Kids Foundation is a Dutch NGO founded by Katja Visser believing in a world in which all children have the opportunity to develop themselves so that they can organize their lives on their own strength with care for their community and the planet. That’s why as early as 2009 StartUp4Kids started to offer children extra schooling on a social, financial and personal level, using the Aflatoun curriculum, in various countries like Peru, Ethiopia, Nepal, Guatemala, Ecuador and the Netherlands. As its founder moved to Maun the end of 2018 she brought the Aflatoun program to the Maun region as well. 

Beside the Aflatoun program StartUp4Kids wishes to raise awareness with children for taking care of our beautiful planet. The organization does this by setting up school gardens and organizing awareness campaigns and activities like tree planting together with Knyphausen Foundation and the Junior Ranger Botswana Program.

“As a child, I wanted to learn as much as possible from nature and the world. At a young age, I started to travel around the world. But it was after working as a volunteer in the slums in Peru that my life changed. The children I worked with had so many dreams; they wanted to become a doctor, a teacher…just like the children in the Netherlands where I was born. My big question however was: How are they going to achieve that without quality education and an inspiring environment? So, I set up StartUp4kids Foundation to give children the chance to make their dreams come true by teaching them to follow their hearts, to be a leader, how to manage finances and how to set up (social) enterprises. From our Phazama Farm in Tsutsubega, I wish to inspire individuals around the world to follow their dreams.”

Katja

Teachers are responsible for the execution of the program during a weekly after-school activity of an hour. Teachers will be using creative, active and participatory teaching methods. This does not only make the teaching process effective but also ensures a high retention rate on the part of the learner. Beside that they learn important life skills like saving and spending wisely, planning and budgeting, social and financial enterpreneurship, taking care of nature etc. which do not only benefit the students but the whole community.

Learners become socially and economically empowered. After the program they:
– are more confident and motivated
– participate in different activities in their community
– protect and promote their rights
– spend responsibly
– save financial and natural resources
– have a savings account
– make budgets
– set goals for her/himself
– value teamwork
– run a micro-enterprise
– organize projects for social & green causes

Change to the school community

For teachers is will bring change as they will be able to use active learning techniques and that learners will be able to learn easier and happily.

In Maun works together with:

• Tsodilo Junior School in close cooperation with the Ministry of Education
• Women Against Rape
• Bana Ba Letsatsi
• Connect
• Mmila Mela

And together with the Junior Ranger program:

• Thamalakane PS
• Moremi PS
• Thito PS
• Andrew Willo PS
• Gxhabara PS
• Mathiba MS
• Sedie JSS
• Tswaragano JSS
• Moeti JSS
• Maitamo JSS

If you wish to receive more information please fill out the form below and we will get in touch with you!