11 Jun 2020

The National Director of Tlokweng SOS, Mr Motshwari Kitso says the family strengthening programme is showing good results.

 In an interview with BOPA,  Mr Kitso said the programme was first introduced in 2008 to assist disadvantaged children to receive proper parental care. 

He said the programme had been strengthening family ties so that children who were at risk of losing parental care could grow up in a caring family environment.

 Mr Kitso said a study showed that the programme was a cheaper than having children living on campus, and also helped in reducing social stigma and stereotypes faced by the children and families.

He said SOS families that were in the community lived peacefully, as they were welcomed, interacted with the society and there was no discrimination.

Mr Kitso said assessment was done to determine the capacity of the caregiver, as they would be looking after children who needed vigilant care and to ensure that the best interests of the child were at the centre of all decisions.

“We also ensure that families have access to basic goods and services such as health care and education, as it is easier for families to get those services compared to when they are on campus, as the organisation will have to provide transport to and from the health facilities and schools, which makes it more expensive,” he said.

Mr Kitso stated that some of the families were integrated into the community, alongside other families in different neighbourhoods and if needed, short-term care could be provided for children and young people from such families.

“Sometimes children can return to live with their biological families and they are supported during the period of change and adjustment, which sometimes lasts up to three years, while monitoring the situation,” he said.

He further indicated that family visits were done regularly, to bring them together with the community so that they could get long-term support to help them stay together. Ends