14 Dec 2016

Proper care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) is a multi-faceted and complex exercise that requires a multi-sectorial approach in order for it to be realised.

Ms Hannah Modise, OVC volunteer at the Red Cross Society of Botswana-Kanye branch said in an interview that the multi-sectorial model calls for holistic inter-organisational and inter-agency efforts that promote participation of people of concern, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach aa well as research efforts to realise goals that benefit orphans and vulnerable children.

Ms Modise said for Batswana to become a caring and compassionate nation in the true sense, the spirit of volunteerism needs to live in all individuals.

She said members of society should not think that volunteering time to assist OVCs was a burden on their daily activities, but rather treat it as a gift for leaders of tomorrow who could not provide for themselves today.

To help achieve the goal of caring for the vulnerable children, the OVC division of the Red Cross Society in Kanye caters for social orphans being those that are below the age of 18, whose parents are still alive, but do not play any meaningful role in their upbringing.

The other type of care the centre provides is for the orphans.

Ms Modise said the Red Cross Society also acted as a mediator between social workers, non-governmental organisations and families in need of assistance.

Red Cross Society is a non-profit making organisation that has no permanent employees, but depends on volunteers to provide care for a total of 70 OVCs within Kanye catchment area.

The Red Cross Society has recruited volunteers that traverse the community and identify homes which need access to social protection and welfare initiatives from local authorities. ENDS