23 Nov 2021

About 1 200 individuals in Serowe have benefitted from The Healthy Families Foundation campaign.

At least 800 participants made it to group discussions that were held in different wards daily from November 3 to 17.

Ms Ashely Thaba of The Healthy Families Foundation said the campaign was meant to give practical skills on how to make a marriage or relationship fun.

BOPA conducted random interviews to gauge the impact of the campaign on those it was intended for.

A facilitator, Ms Mmandu Matheo (63) of Maaloswana Ward said her group, which mainly comprised youth, saw the campaign as an eye opener.

She said they appreciated the need to involve God in everything they did.

For her part, Ms Gillian Gwaila (72) who facilitated in Seswaane Ward stated that her group consisted mainly of elderly married people who were consistent in attending the discussions.

Since the aim was to bring change to those faced with challenges, BOPA met with Ms Kelebogile Semotswane* (42)  who said she met her husband in 1993 and got married in 2004.

She said she had known her husband to be a heavy drinker ever since they met, a habit that led to conflicts because he conducted himself inappropriately after drinking.

Ms Semotswane said she religiously took some booklets home from the campaign and would see her husband reading them and gradually things changed.

“Maitsholo a gagwe a ne a fetoga mo jaanong re kgonang go buisana ntle le dikgogakgogano,” meaning her husband’s behaviour changed to a point that they were able to hold decent conversations.

Another participant, Ms Lesego Semakaleng* (42) said she was abusive to her husband.

Ms Semakaleng said she had been married for seven years and during her outbursts, she would pack her belongings and leave the matrimonial home.

She confessed that the campaign helped her be a better communicator and her husband was adjusting to her new behaviour.

A gender based violence survivor, Ms Maatla Lore* (37) said hers was a violent relationship devoid of peace and cooperation.

She said the campaign helped her realise that how unhealthy the relationship was and ending it was the best option.

Ms Lore said she retraced her steps to church to find peace. BOPA

* Not their real names