Lehututu, Botswana — 14 May 2025
As part of the global commemoration of International Girls in ICT Day, students from Lehututu and surrounding areas recently took part in a transformative training program that introduced them to the basics of JavaScript programming. The training sessions were held at Matsheng Brigade, bringing together youth from across the Lehututu zone to learn, engage, and explore the world of digital technology.
The initiative, led in partnership with Botswana Innovation Hub, focused primarily on empowering girls with foundational digital skills. However, in the spirit of inclusivity and national development, boys were also included, reinforcing the message that no child should be left behind for Botswana and Africa’s development.
Throughout the training, students were guided through the fundamentals of JavaScript learning how to write simple code, understand functions, and grasp key programming logic. For many, this was their first hands-on experience with coding, and it provided a solid introduction to careers in ICT.
One of the participants, Joel Morale, shared that the training gave him practical insights into how technology works and inspired him to continue exploring programming. “I didn’t know anything about JavaScript before, but now I can write a basic program. This training really opened my eyes,” he said.
The training culminated on 14 May 2025 with a vibrant certificate award ceremony held at the Lehututu Community Hall. Participants from the JavaScript training, along with others who had been trained by various organisations around the Lehututu zone in recent days, were honoured and recognized for their efforts.
The ceremony, coordinated by the Ministry of Communications and Innovation, featured remarks from local leaders, a keynote address by Orange Botswana, and a presentation by BOFINET. Attendees were also treated to poetry, music, and entertainment by local DJs.
Following the awards, guests explored informational stalls set up by organisations involved in education, innovation, and ICT development. These exhibitions provided an opportunity for attendees to connect with institutions and learn more about the work being done to support youth in the region.
The Girls in ICT training was a powerful reminder of how digital literacy can empower young people, especially those in remote and underserved communities. It also highlighted the impact of collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society in nurturing the next generation of tech leaders.
A big shout-out to Botswana Innovation Hub and all supporting partners for making this possible. Together, we are ensuring that every child regardless of gender or location could thrive in the digital age.