18 Apr 2017

Mascom Wireless has donated P50 000 to Love Botswana Outreach Mission to help secure the necessary equipment for children with special needs.

Love Botswana is an organisation which supports government and other humanitarian initiatives by filling the gap where government needs NGO support.

However, the money which is part of the annual Mascom derby held in Maun over the Easter holidays would be given to Lorato House Rescue Centre, a child welfare institution with a special wing for children living with disabilities.

Speaking during the handing over of the donation, Mascom communications and public relation manager, Barbara Gotlop said they had a keen interest in assisting vulnerable groups especially women and children.

“Every year we make a huge impact in Maun and in the previous years, we have donated to organisations such as Okavango Artists Association, Women Against Rape and Thuso Rehabilitation Centre just to mention a few,” she said.

She said the donation would assist to buy beds and other needs for children living with disability at Lorato House Rescue Centre.

One of the co-founders of Love Botswana, Dr Jana Lackey thanked Mascom for demonstrating love and care towards disadvantaged children. She explained that their idea was to ensure that children were taken care of.

Dr Lackey said Love Botswana established Lorato centre as a programme designed specifically to secure resources for children who need support.

The centre has a capacity to house 75 orphans and vulnerable children aged from 0 to 5 years who have either been abandoned, or are in need of protection and temporary care until they can be fostered, adopted, or reunited with family.

Another official from Love Botswana, Pastor Gary Pelotshweu thanked Mascom for the gesture.

He said it was their responsibility to protect the nation through partnership with companies like Mascom. Pastor Pelotshweu explained that children admitted at the centre were brought through a court order as they work hand in hand with social workers.

To leave the house also, he said a court order had to be granted noting that the order specified the right of the mother and how long the children would be in the centre. “We are care givers and we are not responsible for the movement of the child because legally they belong to the state,” he added.

Love Botswana was established 30 years ago and its mission is to implement programmes for individuals and communities that bring sustainable transformation. BOPA