04 Sep 2023

As part of their devotion to give back to the community, Gaborone based social club, Mmabesi, organised a charity football tournament for the benefit of Childline Botswana. 

The tournament saw four soccer teams, Mmabesi, Sopranos, Rebels and Diponeng social clubs going head to head in a one-day tournament in Block 7, Gaborone.

Mr Bagakolodi Motsamai, secretary general of Mmabesi, said the tournament was the brain child of the team’s management who saw a need to offer support to children who experienced abuse or who are at risk.

“We approached a few teams and they responded promptly to our call. I hope we continue practicing the spirit of helping and I also urge other clubs to carry on with the social responsibilities where there is need,” he said. He said this should be an on-going thing and promised that they will keep doing the good work.

In appreciation, Childline representative, Ms Gaone Chepete, thanked the organisers for assisting non-governmental organisations such as Childline. 

“We are a non-profit making organisation and we survive through non consistent donations. Children are very expensive to maintain and everything, such as milk and nappies, is expensive. We have to give these children the best family atmosphere as they were brought here because of traumatising child abuse cases,” she said.

Ms Chepete said at present, Childline accommodates and rehabilitates neglected children from one-day-old to 14 years. She said some children were brought in by the police or social workers for various reasons, ranging from neglect to abuse, as well as when parents were going through divorces. 

Childline is based in Gaborone’s Block 7 and has grown over the years. 

Meanwhile, the official handover will take place this week. ends