Botswana, located in southern Africa, with a population 1.4 million, is one of Africa's most enduring multi-party democracies. It is also one of sub-Saharan Africa's most prosperous countries. The land has rolling hills but is predominantly flat with the Okayango Delta and Kalahari Desert. The country has periodic droughts, seasonal winds, and limited fresh water resources.

Botswana has made a great deal of economic progress since its independence in 1966, although not everyone has benefited. Many people suffer from poverty, malnutrition, hunger, and high unemployment. The HIV/AIDS infection rates in Botswana are some of the highest in the world and HIV/AIDS is Botswana's greatest problem, causing problems in the distribution of population with many orphans and infected children disenfranchised. Wealth is unequally distributed, with women, the elderly, and rural inhabitants being the most disadvantaged. Children growing up in these circumstances are prone to malnutrition, deprivation, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, suicide attempts, substance abuse, and crime. An additional concern is the flood of refugees from neighboring countries that adds to poverty-related problems.

Sedibeng Community Education Center is a program of the Botswana Synod of the United Congregational Church in Southern Africa that seeks to alleviate the social, economic, and emotional hardships experienced by disadvantaged youth. Sedibeng offers many services, including free counseling, home visits, awareness programs, skills training, and advocacy. Services are offered to the vulnerable out-of-school youth of the community. Global Ministries missionary Jayanthi Wilson works at Sedibeng.

Many who come to the center bring with them a multitude of problems from which they attempt to overcome poor educational opportunities, financial hardships, and family problems. Each morning, the staff and students begin the day with a time of devotion (including the reading of scripture, testimony, prayer, dancing, and singing praises to God).

Programs offered at Sedibeng include a catering service/restaurant, training in computers, fashion design, sculpturing, and flower arranging. Training allows young people to gain skills that will allow them to enter the job force and become self-sustaining, while contributing to the growth of the society.

Fashion Design: Learning fabric painting, basic pattern cutting, tie and dye, and basic sewing, students receive hands-on experience in fashion design.

Catering: In partnership with the Gaborone Sun Hotel, students participate in a three-month training program at the hotel and three months at Sedibeng. They learn basic kitchen skills, how to prepare delicious dishes. Sedibeng offers healthy and affordable meals made by their students in the restaurant and also cater for community functions.

Computer Training: All students at the center learn basic computer skills including keyboarding, Internet use, e-mail, and Microsoft Word applications.

Social Support: Social workers provide guidance, counseling, and referrals for the students at Sedibeng. They assess the people who are interested in enrolling into the programs and lead group discussions about issues of concern like HIV/AIDS.

Sculpturing: Although students have excelled in this program and made very creative pieces, due to lack of funding, sculpturing has been temporarily been put on hold.

Flower Arranging: As a brand new program to Sedibeng, students are now learning about the different types of plants and how to creatively arrange them. Arrangements are sold to the public and businesses.

Assistance is needed to help Sedibeng continue to serve the society’s needs. To maintain training programs, Sedibeng needs funds for supplies and educators. A donation is a contribution to the future of Botswana.