Anne – Stine is a non-profit making organization providing stimulation and rehabilitation services to children living with different disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech impairment, Down Syndrome amongst others. The Centre has no source of income and relies much on donors for survival and to achieve its goal.

Sekolo sa Anne Stine is a brainchild of a Norwegian couple namely E. Sandberg (ex-Regional Medical Officer for Kweneng District) and his wife B. Instad. The duo was at that point in time evaluating the community-based rehabilitation program in the district on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO). The results of the study revealed the need for a Rehabilitation/ Stimulation Centre in the District. The findings of the report which was finally presented to both WHO and the Botswana Government in 1987, revealed that of the 623 people with disabilities sampled, a majority of them i.e. 248 lived in Molepolole. Further, 60 (sixty) were under the age of 16 (sixteen). A committee was formed to take the responsibility of building a Rehabilitation/ Stimulation Centre.

Consequently, a committee was formed to raise 20% of the funds for the construction costs. NORAD (The Norwegian Development Association) pledged to raise the rest. However, the Sandberg family stepped in to raise the 20% when it became clear that the committee had failed to do their part. They used proceeds from their daughter’s life insurance to make a memorial tribute to the Centre. Their only request was to have the Centre named in the memory of their daughter (Anne-Stine) who had accidental death from Stingray attack in the Caribbean coast. The committee appreciated their help and adopted the name Anne-Stine Centre.

After an obliging commitment from NORAD, the first Norwegian volunteer was attached to the project in 1987. The building of the Centre experienced delays but was ultimately completed in November 1992. However, the Centre was officially opened on the 27th March 1993 by the First Lady, Gladys Masire.

Initially, the Centre catered for children from poor socio-economic backgrounds with dim prospects of receiving any therapy or education. Such families lacked the means to cope with the burden of looking after disabled children. The socio-economic situation in the district and country as a whole has improved for the general population of people living with disability. Negative attitudes towards people with disabilities remain the unchanged as most people living with disabilities continue to struggle for survival. For example, except for some enlightened well-off families, children with disabilities are ill treated with some losing sense of self-worth.

Currently, Sekolo sa Anne Stine has a maximum capacity of 40 children and no boarding facilities.