20 Dec 2012

The Serowe-Palapye Chinese community have donated P 42 000 to the SOS Children’s village in Serowe.

When handing over the cheque on Tuesday, representative of the Chinese community in Botswana, Mr Liu Yuan Hui pledged to continue helping the SOS children as they have a responsibility to help the community especially the less privileged.

“You are not alone, we will stand by you, we will work hand in hand with you, You are our children, we are your parents,” he stated.

Serowe acting station commander, superintendent Molefhe Molefhe expressed the gratitude towards the gesture and urged everyone to contribute towards the transformation of the lives of the less privileged stating “the future of the disadvantaged is determined by the community that enjoys advantageous opportunities”

Mr Molefhe said the local Chinese community also has bridged the gap between the less privilege and the privileged.

A ‘million gesture’ he said, is not only prompted by humanitarian feeling but a sense of responsibility and ownership of existing challenges that engulf the community.

Also he noted that SOS came into being as a result of immeasurable sense of responsibility and compassion for the less privileged.

He added that SOS children by circumstances beyond their control have no opportunity to join their families to celebrate Christmas and New Year like other children and as such he urged the community to bring interventions that will cushion the situation.

Further, Mr Molefhe commended parents who have devoted their family time to give love, care and support to the SOS children.

Earlier the councillor for Serokolwane ward, Mr Setalekgosi Molefhi outlined that the Serowe SOS has capacity of 120 but currently have 115 children that make up 12 family houses, each with two mothers and about 10 children and each family house spends about P23 000 a month.

For his part Bangwato regent, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane said the donation is remarkable and key to the nation noting that SOS Village needs continuous support as raising children is expensive.

Giving vote of thanks, the chairperson of Serowe Administration Authority, Mr Bafana Motseothata said he was delighted about the donation as it will help SOS children.

He implored the locals to make contribution in any way such as visiting the children and spending time with them and teach them their culture.

Mr Motseothata emphasized that like other children, SOS children need the experience of Setswana lifestyle like visiting lands, cattle post and therefore urged the community to volunteer and take them to those places. ENDS