19 Oct 2015

The founder of Love Botswana Outreach Mission (LBOM), Dr Jana Lacker has appealed to the government to assist the movement with transport to achieve its mandate of developing young African leaders.

She said since the movement works closely with school children, they face challenges of transporting them to annual camps during school vacations to carry out some activities.

She made the plea to the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Nonofo Molefhi who graced the 10 years anniversary of the movement.

The outreach mission is a faith based organisation and its mandate is to develop Christian leaders for Africa and commits itself for serving Ngamiland District in education, church development, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and economic empowerment.

The programme works to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS by reaching youth through Reach for Life initiative after school abstinence clubs.

Dr Lacker said efforts were made to approach relevant authorities to assist where possible, but that they were at times turned down at the last minute.

She said the movement was producing positive results and that funding was still a challenge to do more.

She added that it was their goal to roll out the programme to other parts of the country, but that shortage of personnel was worrisome.

Since the commencement of the movement, about 20 000 children have been reached in the district and the coordinators wish to increase the number.

Dr Lacker said many schools in Botswana were faced with a lot of challenges which needed  their intervention.

She said she hoped the government would appreciate their challenge and assist where possible.

“Our movement is an innovative faith based which only promote a Christian nation and develop young leaders for Africa,” she said.

For his part, Mr Molefhi said the issue could be discussed and addressed through the district structures, noting that the Department of Education should be able to assist the movement.

He urged the founders to take up the issue with relevant authorities and see how best they could assist them.

The minister said such initiatives, which promote upholding of social values, need to be supported.

The minister also urged dikgosi to mobilise communities to support such initiatives to ensure they make a difference in society. ENDS