13 Aug 2014

Trade and industry minister, Ms Docas Makgato-Malesu says Sponsor a Child which has been in existence for 15 years is aimed at raising money to support vulnerable youth.

Ms Makgato-Malesu said Sponsor a Child supported individual children under the age of 12 years and organisations. The trust, she added, supported the youth in areas of education, medical and social amongst others. Organistions supported by the trust, she said, included Masiela Trust, SOS, Bana-ba-Metsi and Childline.

For her part, the managing director of Carothabo Pty Ltd and also Funding executive director of Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA), Ms Cally Ramalefo said that Sponsor a Child aimed to address challenges faced by vulnerable children.

Ms Ramalefo said they cared for children facing poverty, have no access to health care services, failing to acquire basic education and those lacking parental care and are abused.

“These are the children who despite the huge public investment in health, education and welfare by the government still remain at risk,” she said.

She noted that these challenges could have an adverse impact on children’s wellbeing, educational achievements, knowledge and skills development for a constructive participation in society.

Ms Ramalefo said in most cases such children were taken care of by their grandparents who already needed special care and were having it tough to assist the children. ENDS