22 Nov 2018

Germany’s First Lady Ms Elke Biidenbender has donated approximately P12 000 (€1000) to the Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Center of Excellence.

Ms Biidenbender, who had accompanied her husband President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a two-day official visit to Botswana, told the centre’s club members that they were very strong teenagers who would forever be in her heart.

The German first lady, together with First Lady Ms Neo Masisi visited the centre mainly to appreciate teen club adolescent challenges and offer support to its members. which was officially opened in 2003 to offer support to children living with HIV.

Ms Masisi commended the members for their openness, saying it was never easy for people to talk about their status.

“Actually you are the first group of youngsters to be very open like this, I have seen adults opening up but not youngsters,” she said.

She said they should consider themselves ambassadors and share the information.

Ms Masisi said she was impressed by the fact that young as they were they did not see their situation as a life sentence but continued to preach hope.

She urged them to create awareness of the centre adding that one day they should invite “friends of Baylor” and spend a day together promising that she would be the first one to arrive at the gate for the event.

Some club members told the first ladies that some of them were born with HIV while one said she was only diagnosed when she was 12 years old and later started treatment at the clinic.

Another member said she was diagnosed and started treatment when she was six years old in 2006.

They told the first ladies that the club was a support group for teenagers aged 13-19 explaining that its main objective was to give members life skills and offer recreational activities.

They said they often invited professionals to share with them adding that being HIV positive did not mean they could not achieve their desired goals.

Generally, the members said when some of them joined the club they were shy but as time progressed they gained strength and confidence.

UNICEF representative Ms Julianna Lindsey informed the first ladies that both the clinic and Ministry of Health and Wellness were looking for ways to take services to other parts of the country.

This, she said, would ensure that all other children across the country benefited based on the experiences and lessons that the clinic had in place.  

“The young people will tell that it is not all about the drug, but it is about being mentally ready to take the drugs and deal with the questions that your friends might have,” she said.

Ms Masisi and Ms Biidenbender planted mango trees at the centre said to be not only a source of fruits but beautiful, leafy and provided shade.

The trees will also be helpful in absorbing carbon dioxide from the environment and producing oxygen as well as support the nutrition of many adolescents and young people for a long time. ENDS