It actually became official this week as the program purchased travel insurance for me, not that I plan to get sick but I understand 65% of travellers will fall prey to "traveller's diarrhea", something to look forward lol.
The link below is to the Teen Club page of the clinic which was designed by one of the previous volunteers and it lets you have some insight into the youth I will be working with in Botswana.

http://www.botswanateenclub.org/

this is the clinic I where I will be working. I will be working with Ms. Onkemetse Phoi, Clinical Psychologist and our mandate is as follows:

 

Tim’s intervention skills of as a  mental health therapist, focusing directly on identifying and challenging  behavior and thoughts patterns of our clients  will have positive effect to the COE population. 

 

Expected results:

 1)    Group therapy developed for adolescents (13-18) presenting with long-term poor adherence (Challenge Clinic Patients).

2)    Psychotherapy and adherence counseling provided to client’s presenting with psychosocial distress leading to poor adherence.

Principal responsibilities:

1)    Establish the group therapy for adolescents (aged 13-18) presenting with long-term poor adherence.

2)    Develop Psychosocial Standard of Procedures for the department – Psycho-social department.

3)    If time permits, deliver psychotherapy to adolescents presenting with depression, anger, behavioral issues, anxiety, trauma, self-stigma, substance abuse and grieve and bereavement.

4)    Secure the participation and representation of women and men in all activities.

5)    Draft reports required by Baylor and the Uniterra program.

Simple stuff eh. I will be asking for some help in this process from lots of peers so follow and contribute to this important work.

Tim

For those not familar with botswana or Africa

On October 13, 2012 I will be leaving for Gaborone, Botswana to participate as a volunteer working with staff of the Baylor Children's Clinic for  Excellence both as a counsellor but more important building capacity specifically related to  adolescents  adherence to treatment for HIV. It is an interesting challenge I am looking forward to and I hope to call on "experts" back home for guidence and suggestion to help over come any obstacles I may encounter.
Of course the first order of business is the bon voyage party.