06 Jun 2016

 Forty-nine year old, Ms Mmamphaki Tshobowe’s life took a dramatic turn when she was handed keys to her own home by President Lt. Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Not only did she receive a house, but she was treated to VIP status in a ceremony that was attended by President, Vice President, cabinet and other dignitaries as she occupied the 600th house since the Presidential Housing Appeal (PHA) initiative came into being.

Overwhelmed by the events of the day and marvelous gestures of love Ms Tshobowe could not contain her happiness. Her life of hardship and abuse was shamed on that fateful Friday afternoon.

Ms Tshobowe together with her nine children lived a poor life sharing two small huts at the home of her abusive partner.

Having been tired from the abuse she suffered, she decided to take charge of her life by building a temporary structure in a plot allocated to her.

However, her break from bondage was cut short by the floods that found her in ill health.

The floods that swept the village early this year, destroyed her temporary structure and through the intervention of the village development committee and the social welfare office she was selected to benefit from PHA.

Ms Ontshegeditse Kealeboga, a social worker in Sojwe explained that Tshobowe was prioritised among other destitutes because of her ailing condition and had no place to be looked after.

Her abusive relationship affected the whole family leading to the eldest one dropping from school, a trend that affected other children. Today, Ms Tshobowe just like the many 5 000 families to had benefited from PHA, is singing a different song; a song of joy.  

Her dignity has been restored through a two bedroomed house, fully furnished with a kitchen, bathroom and a living room. In addition, she has also received 50 layers and 25 tswana chickens to aid her generate income for her family.

Other donors had bought her household utensils, clothing and groceries.

Short of words, Ms Tshobowe has thanked the President for changing her life in a remarkable way making her somebody from nobody through PHA. She has nonetheless promised to look after the house and ensure that her children get education.

Ms Tshobowe, was born in Botlhapatlou, she left the place with her parents to reside at Shonono settlement. She then left her family there to access government services in Sojwe. ENDS