12 May 2014

Supporting orphans and vulnerable children is a task, which needs members of the community to join hands, Banc ABC senior manager, Ms Keaboka Bolele has said.

Speaking during a high tea fund raising event for Anglican Church-founded Mothers’ Union Orphan Care Centre in Mahalapye over the weekend, Ms Bolele said the needs of the centre were increasing hence they must be met through community involvement.

She pointed out that self-help groups such as the centre could not rely on government alone. “I request the community and parents in the catchment area of the centre to redouble their efforts in fund raising activities,” she said.

She explained that the purpose of the high tea was to bring Mahalapye community together to remind them that they were a big family and they need to visit and take care of the children at the centre.

Also, she said the centre had 130 students of which 91 were transported five days a week.

Further she noted that there were 250 students in Tamocha Primary School, Mokubatse Primary School and St James Primary school who were assisted with their home works, life skills as well as counseling by the centre.

In addition to that, she said there were 58 teenagers’ clubs who came to the centre to get life skills training.

Furthermore, Ms Bolele thanked Mothers Union Diocese, Mothers Union Orphan Care Centre management and staff, Project Concern International , Botswana, Southern Africa AIDS Trust and individuals who have been contributing to the development and upbringing of children at Mothers Union Centre over the years.

Giving opening remarks Mothers Union coordinator, Ms Segametsi Ntshingane said the purpose of the fund raising tea was to remind Mahalapye community of the steps they needed to take to secure children’s future by contributing to the centre.

“Mothers Union Diocese and PCI have been taking care of the school since its inception, now Mahalapye community must consider stepping in to secure the children’s future.”

She went on to thank Ms Bolele for facilitating the donation of 50 Mathematical instruments, clothes and 10 tracksuits donated by staff of Banc ABC.

Furthermore she thanked Mahalapye West Member of Parliament, Mr Bernard Bolele for helping Mothers Union Centre get four Tirelo Sechaba participants.

Narrating about the success of the centre one of the teachers, Ms Boingotlo Kgano said the centre opened its doors to learners in 2000 when the country was facing the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

“Initially we started with 30 learners, throughout the years we have produced four nurses, and two soldiers and one of our former learner is studying at the University of Botswana.”

She further pointed out that due to shortage of funds some of their programmes collapsed. She called on the society to be involved adding that help did not come in the form of cash only but even paying a visit to the centre to help with some tasks was welcome. ENDS