Building on the impact of our 2023 program, we are thrilled to announce our fifth outreach program in Gaborone, Botswana. For two weeks in February 2025, four Teaching Artists will lead daily movement and drama workshops at (A) the Maru-a-Pula School and (B) the Ambrose Academy.
This year, Creative Borders is partnering with Arts Ignite, a similar global arts education organization, to inaugurate a groundbreaking professional development program for local artists (C). This revolutionary initiative will support the next generation of arts educators, further fostering artistic growth and sustainability of future arts education in Gaborone.
2025 Program
OBJECTIVES
(A) Maru-a-Pula School
As a leader in Gaborone, the Maru-a-Pula School (MaP) has been critical to our success and growth. In 2025, we are excited to continue extending opportunities to the students at MaP through daily workshops. These three-and-a-half-hour daily sessions, using drama and dance as catalysts, will serve as a nurturing ground for students’ artistic expression while simultaneously fostering the development of essential life skills, including leadership, collaboration, and resilience.
Founded on the principles of service and equality, Maru-a-Pula has dedicated itself to the betterment of the nation of Botswana. In 2005, in response to the pressing challenges posed by HIV/AIDS and poverty, the school initiated the Maru-a-Pula OVC Scholarship Program. This program is a beacon of hope, offering opportunities to local children affected by Botswana’s most prominent social and economic challenges.
At Maru-a-Pula, the student community (ages 13-18) is a testament to the school's inclusive mission and commitment to addressing Botswana’s broader issues. Maru-a-Pula strives to create a positive impact by empowering the younger generation and fostering a future marked by equality and shared prosperity.
(B) Ambrose Academy
Since our inaugural 2016 program, Creative Borders has forged a transformative partnership with a pioneering organization for children with special needs, the Ambrose Academy. The Academy provides children with disabilities (ages 6-15) access to quality education and therapeutic services, empowering them to envision a better future and become self-reliant contributors to the nation.
Our collaborative efforts have created specialized 30-minute lessons that leverage movement, music, and storytelling to enhance mind-body connections, coordination, and communication for the students. Over the years, our approach has proven instrumental in providing students with new outlets to express emotions and frustrations positively. Our dance and drama-based lessons continue to translate into improvements in the students’ overall social behavior, life skills training, and academic achievements.
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Remarkably, the Ambrose Academy has experienced substantial growth since 2016, culminating in a new facility that is equipped with modern learning technologies. This advancement has enabled us to continue our lessons remotely, maintaining our commitment to students’ development. In late 2023, we launched our first pre-recorded lesson facilitated by the Ambrose teachers, building on our work earlier in the year. This milestone marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing partnership, setting the stage for continued collaboration and impactful contributions to students' social and educational journeys.
(C) Professional Development
In 2025, our new partner, Arts Ignite, will lead a groundbreaking Teaching Artist training program designed to empower local artists to become educators and leaders within the community of Gaborone. This meticulously crafted 40-hour training program will be guided by the Teaching Artist team. It will unfold alongside the workshops for younger students, ensuring a holistic and immersive learning experience that will be supported by virtual check-ins after the program concludes.
We will select four to five participants for this inaugural opportunity through an application process. Aimed at nurturing the future leaders of Gaborone's artistic community, this training will equip candidates with the skills and resources essential for educational excellence and community leadership.
We will compensate for their active participation to recognize the dedication and support the commitment of the selected candidates. We remain committed to fostering a dynamic and supportive environment that propels local artists toward success in both their artistic endeavors and educational leadership roles.
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Are you a Botswana artist interested in this program?
2025
TEAM
In partnership with
Taylor Symone Jackson
Taylor is an Arts Ignite Teaching Artist trained in various styles of dance from the Atlanta Ballet and acting at The Freeman Studio. She is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and now lives in New York. She has been teaching for over ten years, starting at youth dance camps teaching jazz, tap, and ballet, and brings great enthusiasm and skill to every classroom!
Taylor's regional credits include Ain't Too Proud (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), The Wiz (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery (Spelman College). Her New York credits include Ain't Too Proud (Broadway), Becoming David (Playwrights Horizons) and Viva Las Vegas (AMDA). Her TV credits include My Parents, My Sister & Me; The Game; and Born to Dance.
Chavon Hampton
Chavon Hampton is an Arts Ignite Teaching Artist who is a professional triple threat. She is an AMDA NYC graduate and has made a career out of doing what she loves. She’s traveled nationally and globally with her profession. Her career started off on the stage touring Broadway shows and national theatres. A few of her credentials include; Violet U/S (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Little Inez (Hairspray), Lisa (Mamma Mia), Starlight Jones (iLuminate), Dream Girls and many more.
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Along with her successful stage career, Chavon has made a name for herself in the TV/Film industry as well. You may spot her in some commercials such as: Mohegan Sun, Red Apple Ale, Victoria’s Secret. Chavon has now crossed over into film; she starred in 5 films in just the past year, which will all be released this year.
Thembile Tshuma
Thembile Tshuma is an Arts Ignite Teaching Artist and Applied Drama & Theatre practitioner. Thembile is also the associate artistic director for Arts Ignite’s artsINSIDEOUT, an arts based programme at Nkosi's Haven, a home for mothers and children with HIV/AIDS. He is also a percussionist, TV & stage actor, writer, puppeteer, dancer, choreographer, musician, Theatre Director, Cultural Leadership Mentor and Arts Administrator. Thembile is ASSITEJ SOUTH AFRICA’s Gauteng Theatre4Youth Provincial Coordinator where his main role is to close the gap between theatre and education in the province!
His artistic background starts all the way from 1997, and has been involved with a number of Theatre Companies across the SADC region and beyond. Some of the companies he has worked with include Theatre for Development Initiative (ZIM), Amakhosi Theatre (Zim), Ghetto Waves Productions (BOTS), Drama for Life Theatre company and Playback company (SA), Soweto Theatre (SA), Jo’burg Theatre (SA), Ubumwe Educational Project (UG) among others.
Brian Thabiso Nyoni
Brian Thabiso Nyoni is multifaceted professional with a diverse skill set in the performing arts industry. With training in acting, dancing, singing, scriptwriting, directing, and project management, he has honed my talents and expertise over the years. In 2005, He began his journey in community organization training, which sparked his passion for using the arts as a tool for positive change.
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Throughout his career, he has successfully managed community development projects and facilitated the coordination of Arts Festivals, showcasing his ability to combine artistic excellence with community engagement and empowerment.
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A theatre and a dance facilitator, he has worked in different projects both locally and internationally and recently was a Dance Facilitator for artsINSIDEOUT! at Nkosi's Haven.