06 Dec 2016

The government continues to implement programmes aimed at assisting different targeted vulnerable groups, the President, Lt Gen Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has said.

Outlining various government initiatives during the State -of- the- Nation Address at Parliament on Monday (December 5), President Khama said that welfare programmes continue to assist various targeted groups.

“These include destitute persons, community home based care clients, needy students and orphans and vulnerable children, World War II Veterans and Old Age Pensioners, as well as people living with disabilities,” President Khama said.

The president said  as at September 2016, a total of 35 713 destitute persons, 105 754 Old Age Pensioners, 1 795 World War II Veterans, 1 303 Community Home Based Care patients, 29 828orphans, 34 264 needy students and 2 263 needy children were being supported on a monthly basis.

President Khama said that the Supplementary Feeding Programme continues to be provided in the 755 Primary Schools with an enrolment of 341 864 pupils and 966 Health Facilities with a total of 299 096 beneficiaries.

He further said that in line with the drought declaration, government is providing a second meal at primary schools in remote areas communities and rural districts.

Also, the provision of double food ration for other vulnerable groups such as under 7 year olds, TB outpatients, lactating and expectant mothers is also being implemented countrywide.

“The pre and primary schools menu is under review to move from supplementary to full feeding. This will include food commodities that provide wholesome nutrition with the Home Grown School Feeding initiative of purchasing food commodities found in their localities,” Lt Gen Khama said.

He added that   government continues to procure agricultural produce for primary school pupils.

“This Initiative began in 2009 as a way of promoting agricultural production and livelihoods amongst subsistence farmers. During the harvesting season, from April to June, P9 348 495 was disbursed this year for the procurement of fresh agricultural produce from a total of 1 027 farmers,” Lt Gen Khama said.

He added that the Ipelegeng Programme continues to provide temporary relief to unemployed Batswana across the country.

The approved budget for the programme for the 2016/17 financial year stands at P612 964 318.

“Projects undertaken in this programme include environmental cleanliness, minor construction and maintenance of public facilities throughout the country.

The Programme also supports various initiatives such as Crime Prevention Volunteers and Special Constables under Botswana Police Service; Wildlife Volunteers, Waste Management Volunteers and Monuments custodians.

As of July 2016, a total of 63 688 people were engaged in this programme,” President Khama said. ENDS