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Facts about Botswana in the 1970’s. Ranked as one of the world’s poorest countries GDP per capita was >$200 No economic base except fledgling beef industry that was subsidized by Europeans Less than 2% of population had completed primary school Only a few thousand attended secondary school Fewer than 100 enrolled in university courses No urban settlements were large enough to warrant city status The country played no role in either regional or continental politics There was only a single 12 kilometer-long paved road Recent facts about Botswana. One of the world’s highest average annual growth rate GDP per capita is in excess of $3,500 National coffers hold over $6B in foreign reserves Primary school attendance is over 350k There are approximately 15k enrolled in university studies There are over 6,500 kilometers of paved roads Gaborone is the continent’s fastest growing city Botswana is a peace-loving city with no history of civil war or other serious internal conflict Gaborone plays host to the Trade Exhibition a showcase of the country’s trade, industry and agriculture sectors every year in August Over 30% of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS The population is shrinking due to the impact of HIV/AIDS The church has been very slow to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The government has opened the door for faith-based abstinence education in 27 senior secondary schools (ages 15-19.) During the 2007 Face the Nation, HIV/AIDS Intervention Program that is sponsored by Open Baptist church at the kind invitation of the Ministry of Education, over 10,000 students accepted Christ and over 15,000 signed abstinence pledges.