Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) brings health information and methods to communities especially those that don’t visit health facilities often. CSS health outreach is an extension of activities that ACHAP offers to the communities. The goal of the programme is to increase access to health services, strengthen communities by providing health education talks thereby decreasing HIV prevalence and teenage pregnancy rate among the Youth of Botswana. These Outreach activities take place in 10 districts of Botswana.

In Ngamiland district the CSS team prioritized household dialogues to reach out to the community as a way to understand their health concerns. During the household dialogues, one of the Community Facilitators Ms. Lesego Motladiile, met the Xwie Family which expressed their concerns and was hoping to get help from the team. The family expressed their devastation due to their father’s current health state. Their 98 year old father Mr. Obie Xwie of could not walk at all therefore was unable to do anything for himself. The family had tried for many years to reach out to the relevant people that includes the Social Worker’s office to assist in donating walking crutches to their father without success.

Motladiile took this matter up and contacted the physiotherapy department in Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital in Maun to solicit crutches for Xwie. Though this was also not a easy task the crutches were eventually availed and the ACHAP team delivered them. The ecstatic Xwie said, “I could not be happier and even my back pains will be a thing of the past because I will be able to stand and take a few steps. I am very thankful.” His children also expressed their delight that their father could walk again.

Motladiile noted that, “helping another member of the community is what brings joy to their work. We do our best to provide solutions to health challenges communities by engaging in household dialogues amongst other interventions of the program. As the CSS team we hope to improve a healthy lifestyle among communities.”