22 Sep 2016

The community and leadership of Jwaneng has been encouraged to spend time with children as it is an awesome initiative.

Speaking during the 50 minutes with children initiative at the Mpule Kwelagobe Children’s Centre, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso explained that children need a warm, loving environment for them to grow well.

She emphasised that a child who grows in a loving environment was likely to have a bright future, adding that it was of vital importance for the community to have a daily schedule to spend and nurture children of all backgrounds.

The assistant minister said since it takes a community to raise a child, locals and stakeholders in different communities should join hands in ensuring that they leave a legacy for the upcoming child.  

She said the 50 minutes initiative should leave an imprint in the hearts of community leaders so they could engage in kind actions towards children as well as being at the forefront in ensuring that children grow in a child friendly and loving environment.

Ms Tshireletso said the 50 minutes for children initiative was a right foundation in ensuring that the community and leadership involvement in caring, nurturing, supporting and mentoring children from all walks of life remain a success.  

She added that as children were viewed as future leaders, mentoring and support needs to be done at a tender age. The assistant minister encouraged the community to take part in the protection and welfare of children, especially those in need of protection.

She emphasised that such children need mentors, family, community and source of support so that they too could dream big in life. On measures to better the lives of disadvantaged children, Ms Tshireletso said the government continues to join efforts with other partners and communities to enhance a suitable home environment for raising children. 

She explained that the foster care programme, which was currently being piloted in Kweneng and South East Districts as well as Gaborone, was another measure to enhance suitable home environment for raising children.

Ms Tshireletso commended Debswana Mine for their continuous support in bettering the lives of the disadvantaged children, noting that apart from donating the Mpule Kwelagobe Children Centre in 1999, the mine has also donated P50 000 towards the 50 minutes for children initiative. BOPA