14 May 2015

Use of abusive language against and ill-treatment of orphans can negatively affect them emotionally and lower their academic performance.

This was said by Ms Baah Pusuo of the Social and Community Development office in Lobatse during a kgotla meeting organised by government departments recently.

Ms Pusuo said some guardians have the tendency of abusing orphans verbally, uttering hurting words such as ‘I did not kill your mother,’ adding that such words are not good for children’s growth and development.

She said such guardians should bear in mind that the same children they abuse would grow up and take care of them one day, as such, she urged them to take care of the children and treat them as their own.

Ms Pusuo said her office registers orphans from the day of birth to the age of 18 and also assists them with food rations, school uniforms and clothes. 

She indicated that for a child to be registered they need a child’s birth certificate, the parent’s death certificate, and a copy of the parent or guardian’s identity cards.

She said even at high school, such children get help until they reach the age of 18. 

Upon reaching that age, they could be re-registered after an assessment at home.

Ms Pusuo said they also offer poverty eradication programmes such as backyard gardens, laundry services, landscaping, beauty parlor, hair salon, recycling for orphans to venture into.

However, she advised the public that they should always research and have knowledge on projects that they want to venture into.

For her part, Ms Miriam Selekisho from Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) office briefed the audience on services they provide such as SHHA loans for improvements and renovations as well as turnkey loans.

Ms Selekisho said applicants should be either formally employed or self-employed with an income of P367 and not more than P3 000. 

She said senior citizens aged 60 years and more do not qualify for their loan, unless their child pledge to pay the loan.

She added that to get the plot application service, the applicant should be having no plot in any town or city and has to be a citizen of Botswana aged over 21 years.

For his part, Mr Ditebogo Talane from the commercial section of the council said his office provides licenses for small businesses (backyard business) such as food catering, internet services, business consultancy, small and micro-foods processing, secretarial services and others.

He said in order to acquire the license; one should produce their national Identity, company certificate, plot certificate and a neighbour consultation letter that shows that consultation had been made with neighbours. 

However, he said those renting places should also produce proof.

Mr Talane said the license takes only 30 days to be ready and sometimes even less depending on how prepared the client is to start the business. ENDS