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THIRTY high school students from Zimbabwe and Botswana last week met with high ranking United States diplomats based in Harare and Botswana on a cross boarder exchange visit. The students who were accompanied by ten teachers had Zimbabwe’s delegation drawn from Plumtree and Bulawayo’s Empandeni High School, Thekwane High School and Embakwe High School.
The students gave their views on four broad themes that were under discussion. These were conservation, health, economic opportunities and culture.
Besides learning from the discussions, the students visited national parks and monuments.
They toured the Khami Ruins, Bulawayo National Museum and the Matopos National Park in Zim.
They proceeded to Botswana where they visited the Tatchila Nature Reserve.
It was indeed an opportunity of a life time for some as they also conducted team building exercises cultural events, as well as volunteer activities
Speaking on what she had learnt from the trip, Nqobile Dube from Thekwane High said the discussions on gender-based violence had opened her eyes.
“I am in the drama club and I have a lot of ideas about how we can easily translate what we learnt during this trip such as how to conserve water,” she said.
Tracy Dube, a lower six student at Empandeni said she was mostly excited about networking with other students.
“I made new friends and I know we will be interacting via facebook and sharing ideas,” she said.
The program was an initiative by the American embassies of engaging youth across borders to seek regional solutions to common challenges.
It is part of the United States President’s Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI). YALI will also see 500 young leaders from Africa travelling to the United States this year. They will participate in a targeted combination of consultations, internships and meetings
Online Reporter