In late May, Ker & Downey World Travel President David Marek, alongside his wife Gana and daughters, Director of Marketing Sara Marek Kramer and Lead Content Strategist Haley Marek Beham, traveled with their families to Botswana to celebrate an important milestone in our partnership with Bana Ba Letsatsi: the unveiling of the organization's new classroom block in Maun.

While the classrooms are still in the final stages of construction, our visit provided an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous progress that has been made and recognize the many people whose generosity helped bring this project to life.

A Lifeline for Vulnerable Children in Northern Botswana

Since 2002, Bana Ba Letsatsi has served as a beacon of hope for vulnerable, at-risk, and orphaned children in Maun. The organization's name translates to "Children of the Sun" in Setswana—a fitting reflection of the hope, opportunity, and care it provides to hundreds of young people each year.

Today, the center supports more than 250 children and youth, many of whom have experienced significant hardship. Some have never attended school or were forced to leave school at an early age. Others face challenges including poverty, abuse, neglect, substance abuse, underage labor, and the absence of stable parental care.

Beyond education, Bana Ba Letsatsi provides a comprehensive support system that includes counseling, meals, medical care, life-skills training, and access to everyday essentials such as clothing, shoes, showers, and haircuts. These services not only meet basic needs but also help restore dignity and create pathways toward brighter futures.

As the need for these services has continued to grow throughout the Maun community, so too has the need for expanded facilities.

Building for the Future

Recognizing this need, the Ker & Downey Foundation partnered with Bana Ba Letsatsi to help fund the construction of a new classroom block that will allow the organization to serve even more children.

Together with Chobe Holdings Limited and other generous donors, more than $90,000 was raised to support the project. Ker & Downey World Travel employees also contributed by donating 25 desks for the new classrooms.

Once completed, the new classroom block will include four classrooms and will soon welcome more than 60 students through its doors, creating additional space for learning, growth, and opportunity.

The project also includes an Early Childhood Development library, made possible through donations from Chris Koenneman and supporters in Germany and Austria, alongside Chobe Impact. During our visit, we had the opportunity to tour the library and see firsthand the welcoming learning environment being created for the children of Bana Ba Letsatsi.

Celebrating Progress on the Ground

Although construction is still underway, our team was honored to participate in a ribbon-cutting and unveiling ceremony while in Botswana. Standing inside the nearly completed classrooms offered a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when organizations, donors, and communities come together around a shared purpose.

For many of us, Botswana has long been one of the most meaningful destinations we visit and work in. Supporting a project that directly benefits children and families in the community makes that connection even more special.

“This project reflects the very heart of Ker & Downey World Travel — investing in future generations and giving back to a place that has been such an important part of our story,” said Sara Marek Kramer. “It was truly an honor to support an organization doing such meaningful work for the children and at-risk youth of Botswana.”

Thank You

We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors and everyone who contributed to making this project possible.

While the classrooms are not yet fully complete, seeing them standing on campus was an inspiring reminder of the impact that thoughtful partnerships and collective generosity can create.

We look forward to sharing additional updates as construction is finalized and students begin filling these classrooms with curiosity, learning, and possibility.

Thank you for helping us invest in the future of Botswana's next generation. For more information about how you can help, contact your travel designer.