On the cusp of International Women’s Day, Learn To Play is excited to announce a transformative partnership with Choppies Botswana, dedicated to uplifting 120 teen mothers across three Districts in Botswana (Tsabong, Tutume, and Ghanzi Districts). With Choppies’ generous sponsorship of P150,000, young mothers – often underserved in positive parenting support – will engage in the Parent Playbox programme over 52 weeks (one whole year!). This initiative provides essential skills and resources to foster early childhood development and strengthen caregiver-child relationships, ensuring lasting benefits for families and communities.
The Parent Playbox, developed by Learn To Play in collaboration with Kids Collab, is a comprehensive, high-impact early childhood development (ECD) solution. It equips parents and caregivers of children aged 0-6 with the confidence, knowledge, and practical tools to support their children’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth within their homes.
The initiative aligns with Botswana’s National Vision 2036, which calls for the advancement of women and the promotion of inclusive, sustainable development. By supporting teen mothers in vulnerable communities, the project addresses critical gaps in early childhood education, ensuring that children and caregivers alike have access to the necessary tools needed to thrive. This colalboration exemplifies Learn To Play’s unwavering mission to transform childhoods and uplift communities through the power of play, while reflecting Choppies’ commitment to community development, creating value for communities the proudly Botswana born brand calls home.
For Learn To Play, this partnership represents a significant step toward scaling sustainable and impactful early childhood education initiatives in Botswana. “In many parts of Botswana, early childhood education remains out of reach, with young mothers left without the support they need to nurture their children’s growth. But when mothers are given the right tools – not as charity, but as recognition of their strength and potential – entire communities flourish. This partnership with Choppies is not just about providing resources; it’s about valuing and investing in the women who are already shaping the next generation. What better way to mark Women’s Day than by acknowledging their power and ensuring they have what they need to give their children the best possible start in life?” said Priyanka Handa Ram, Co-Founder and Chief Energy Officer of Learn to Play.
Each of the 120 playboxes, carefully curated for community-identified teen mothers, contains a kit a of resources for 104 play-based activities, training materials, and continuous support to enhance positive parenting practices through play and social emotional learning.
“We are thrilled to support the incredible work of Learn To Play and are dedicated to empowering young mothers across the nation through this programme. As a company rooted in Botswana, we believe in giving back to the communities that have supported us for decades. By investing in young mothers and their children, we are helping to shape a brighter future for families and communities across the country,” said Ramachandran Ottappathu, CEO of Choppies Botswana.
Launches within each of the three Districts will take place across March and April to kickstart implementation of the 52-week programme, working in partnership with community leaders.
