13 Jul 2017

Pastor Geoffrey Mkama has advised parents to read in order to enhance their parenting skills. 

The Tanzanian national, who studies at Bugema University in Uganda, is on attachment at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Botswana, under the home, health and education services. 

In an interview, Pastor Mkama said lack of parenting skills was a major concern and that many children were suffering at the hands of their parents due to that. 

He said their studies brought them to Botswana to educate people about ways of handling societal issues such as parenting, marriage and substance abuse. 

Pastor Mkama, a pastoral theology student along with his colleagues from other African universities, are in the country to educate and provide Christian books. 

“There are about eight of us spread across the village for the four-week programme. 

“We will be educating parents to enable them to value, care and know that a child is a blessing from God. 

“If equipped with good parenting skills they will be able to care and avoid abusing them either physically or emotionally,” stated Pastor Mkama. 

He said some parents do not know how to care for their children, and that such children ended up in the streets.  He noted that there were cases where children left their homes either because their parents used offensive language on them or used them as sex objects. He said those were the parents they wanted to reach-out to and empower so that they could in turn help and advise those troubled. 

“Through the books which we provide at a cost, we basically give easy and simple techniques and guides to parents so that they understand that children are to be valued and cared for. Children are a gift from God, and as parents we should not take that for granted,” he said. 

Pastor Mkama said there was need for children to be raised properly for them to be responsible, well rounded people who could safely make their way in life. 

“We also provide tips on a successful marriage for young couples who are preparing for marriage, those looking to enliven their marriage in an effort to experience the unrecognised possibilities and give advice to those experiencing problems or caught in the bind of an unfulfilled relationship,” he said. ENDs