11 Mar 2015

Japan has secured the well-being of SOS children's village in Francistown with the provision of a palisade fence.

Officially handing over the fence, Ambassador Masahiro Onishi of Japan said he believed that children were the future leaders in developing the country; therefore they needed to be secured. Mr Onishi highlighted that through their assistance, together with the support from the community and dedicated staff, the future of those young promising children would be brighter and flourishing. 

He said SOS Children’s Village Association of Botswana was one of the leading organisations that had dedicated itself to help and protect children. Furthermore, he said they recognised the importance of their roles in the society, noting that the situation surrounding Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) had not been easy, especially after the world economic crisis.

Mr Onishi further said according to the statistics, approximately 10 per cent of children under the age of 18 are thought to be orphans and vulnerable children in Botswana.  For his part, SOS national director, Mr Motshwari Kitso stated that the village had produced 526 graduates and made a difference in the lines of fitting well in the societies.

He said most of their graduates were working as doctors, accountants and police officers all over the country. Mr Kitso said their village also complied with the regulations of the Children’s Act because every year, they are being inspected for safety standards.

In his welcoming remarks, Donga Customary Court president, Kgosi Harmony Moyo said the gesture by the Japanese mission has demonstrated Japan’s commitment to defending the dignity and honour of the people of Botswana. 

Kgosi Moyo said they had strengthened relationships between the two countries, adding that Botswana as a developing country needs assistance from a developed country. ENDS