08 Jun 2020

A team of six faith leaders has been engaged to provide spiritual and psycho-social support to government employees in Selebi Phikwe.

The Deputy District Commissioner for Selebi Phikwe, Mr Mokgethi Nfila said in an interview that the exercise, targeting various government departments, started on June 1 and is expected to be complete by June 19.

He said faith leaders were expected to offer pastoral care and individual counselling as well as group counselling with focus on the messages of hope.

He said the government through the Directorate of Public Service Management had consulted with Botswana Christian Intervention Programme (BOCAIP) and the Botswana Network of Christian Communities (BONECCO) to offer public service employees with spiritual and psycho-social support.

The main objective of the initiative is to encourage, motivate and strengthen mental and emotional well-being of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is very important for employees to undergo this exercise because they experienced many challenges during the national lock down period. Some lost their parents, partners and relatives but could not bury them due to extreme social distancing protocols,” he said.

Mr Nfila said essential workers who were on duty during the lockdown period particularly those in his office often found themselves on the receiving end as the community lashed out at them whenever they were denied permits.

He said those who were on duty were highly vulnerable and susceptible to stigmatisation.

Furthermore, he said COVID-19 protocols weighed down on people in various ways thus it was vital to help workers to cope, live healthy and  productive lives.

He said if problems faced by employees could be left unattended, they could negatively affect performance at work, lead to suicidal tendencies and low self-esteem among others.

It is anticipated that the process would minimise stigmatization of those who have been on the field as well as those known to be infected. Ends