10 Sep 2020

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Botswana has donated computers, stationary and bandages to Childline Botswana to enhance and help children’s welfare and work output.

Speaking during a hand over ceremony in Gaborone on September 9, chief of JICA Mission, Mr Ken Yamada said they donated seven desktop computers, over 80 file binders, stationary and bandages.

Mr Yamada said that computers and file binders were pre-used but still in good conditions for use.

He said Childline was doing a very important job of not only protecting children from unfortunate social circumstances but also providing necessary lessons to ensure they keep abreast with the school curriculum.

Mr Yamada said the donation would go a long way in helping Childline Botswana execute its mandate of assisting children.

He applauded the long standing cooperation between the JICA Botswana and Childline Botswana as another way of sharing skills and experience with colleagues and clients of the organisation.

For his part, Childline Botswana representative, Mr Olebile Machete said the donation was a morale booster for their organisation.

Mr Machete appreciated that despite COVID-19 effects, JICA found it necessary to donate the little they had to Childline Botswana to ensure its survival during the hard times of the pandemic.
He said the donation would enable Childline Botswana to perform their duties effectively and on time when dealing with Gender Based Violence issues.

Mr Machete said that cooperation with JICA Botswana had been outstanding since 2009, adding that around four Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCVs) members had joined the organisation to assist with social work and youth activities and shared  skills and experience with colleagues and clients of Childline Botswana.

Mr Machete said through the partnership, JICA Botswana had donated over P700 000 to Childline Botswana in 2011 for the refurbishment of Childline Dining hall.

JICA Botswana has partnered with Botswana in areas such as JOCVs, ODA loans and Knowledge Co-creation Program (KCCP) and carried out 30 projects in Botswana worth over P2 billion. ENDS