21 Mar 2017

The US Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Earl Miller has handed over a porta cabin office worth over P171 000 to Family of Hope Services (FHS) in Sefhophe on March 16.

The porta cabin office, which is a mobile container building that will house the FHS office, also came along fully furnished with computers.

The FHS is a social welfare organisation based in Sefhophe.

When handing over the office, Mr Miller explained that the donation was funded through President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) grant.

He said the US was one of Botswana’s strongest partners and through the PEPFAR programme the two governments were working together in improving the lives of Batswana from grassroot level. He expressed hope that FHS would put the porta cabin offices to good use in assisting orphans and vulnerable children in the district.

He commended FHS for supporting orphans and vulnerable children, encouraging them to continue with the humanitarian work.

The chairperson of FHS, Mr Godfrey Mbaiwa explained that Family of Hope was a small, non-profit community organisation with branches in Botswana and Namibia. He said the organisation’s objectives included bringing dignity and socio-economic stability to families in vulnerable communities through life skills training and counselling.

He added that the foundation also encouraged prevention of HIV among the youth by establishing parental support groups.

Further, he said they equip the community to internally support and care for orphans and vulnerable children by empowering community volunteers through training programmes.

He said Family of Hope would ensure that children aged two to six years old received pre-primary education, adding that they would provide several pairs of school uniforms, transportation to school as well as food on school days for the children.

For his part, Mr Moseki Moseki from Mmadinare Constituency Office acknowledged members of the Family of Hope Services who are volunteers for rendering their services.

Meanwhile, when giving welcome remarks at the event, Kgosi Segwabe Diloro said the offices would go a long way in helping orphans and vulnerable children.

Ms Elizabeth Kedikilwe, who is a member of FHS also thanked the American Embassy for the assistance.

She also thanked Samaritan Purse, which is also a humanitarian organisation based in America for donating items to orphans and vulnerable children. ENDS