Barclays donates P816,000 - 2008

Barclays Partners with Stepping Stones International

30th October 2008

Barclays Bank of Botswana has entered into a three year partnership with Stepping Stones International in Mochudi, to the tune of P816 000. Stepping Stones International (SSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an enabling environment for orphans and vulnerable children to grow and develop their futures. The Stepping Stones International centre is located in the village of Mochudi. In its initial phase the centre was able to give direct support to 30 vulnerable and orphaned youth and their families. The centre has now moved into a new building that will accommodate 200 youth and now serves 60 youth and their families on a daily basis. Their vision is to motivate 75% of the orphan centre’s participation to either continue education or obtain employment by the age of 18. The partnership with Stepping Stones is part of Barclays sustainability programme aimed at giving back to the communities in which we operate.

The partnership will help to develop income generating activities for orphaned and vulnerable youth at Stepping Stones International centre, through financial support. This will provide 150 young people with the opportunity to manage a small business enterprise, encouraging self-reliance, creativity and to the development of a sense of independence.

Through the programme, the youth are assisted academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually. This is done through expression activities, sports, learning study skills, job skills training, and life skills, whilst at the same time providing psycho-social support. The programme also aims to educate the youth on behavioral change; helping them to protect themselves against HIV and AIDS, alcohol and substance abuse, gender violence and to empower them against peer pressure.

Thuli Johnson, the Managing Director of Barclays Bank of Botswana commented that “Barclays is proud to be associated with this life-changing programme that empowers the underprivileged youth in Botswana”.

For more information please contact

Esther Norris
Head of Corporate Affairs
Tel: +267 395 7312
Mobile: +267 71526383
esther.norris@barclays.com

About Barclays Bank Botswana:

Barclays Bank Botswana is part of the Global Barclays Group and listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange. It is the largest bank in Botswana offering Retail banking, Commercial banking and credit cards with a market capitalisation of over 5 billion

Employing over 1300 permanent staff, Barclays Bank Botswana services customers across the country through a network of 100 ATMs and 54 outlets.

To find out more about Barclays Bank of Botswana / the Barclays Group and its products and services, please visit our website: www.barclays.com or visit any of our branches and speak to one of our consultants.

About Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking:

Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking (GRCB) encompasses all of Barclays retail and commercial banking businesses around the world. Operating in more than 50 countries and employing more than 118,000 people, Barclays GRCB comprises UK Retail Banking, Barclays Commercial Bank, Barclaycard, GRCB Western Europe, GRCB Emerging Markets and Absa (Barclays Bank PLC owns 58.8% of Absa Group Limited). Barclays GRCB serves millions of customers and clients around the globe through a network of more than 4,700 distribution points and more than 13,100 ATMs.

To find out more about the individual Barclays GRCB businesses, please visit our website: www.barclays.com.

About Barclays :

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.

With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 155,000 people.

Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 48 million customers and clients worldwide.

For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com..