24 Jul 2025

 The SOS Children’s Village in Francistown is set to host a unique fundraising event tomorrow, featuring a cultural day with a twist, a Buy and Go dining experience, departing from the traditional format that includes speeches and formal presentations.

The event will showcase a variety of traditional dishes, including bogobe jwa lerotse, lehata, seswaa, koko ya Setswana, morogo wa dinawa, kabu and many others. Taking place at the SOS Francistown Children’s Village, which currently accommodates over 90 children, most of whom are awaiting reintegration into society, the initiative aims to raise crucial funds for the organisation.

In an interview, head of fund development and communications Kabelo Tshimologo, explained that the fundraising activity serves as a precursor to the annual gala dinner scheduled for the end of October in Francistown. He mentioned that tickets have been printed, each priced at P50 for a plate of traditional cuisine.

Tshimologo noted that the SOS Children’s Villages in Botswana, which include Tlokweng, Francistown and Serowe have historically been funded by the international office. He said the support will however be discontinued, based on the assessment that Botswana’s improved economy allows SOS Children’s Villages in the country to be self-sufficient. In response, he said SOS and the government of Botswana are devising strategies to ensure sustainability and self-reliance by 2028 and beyond.

Tshimologo highlighted that the organisation was actively seeking ways to augment international subsidies through various fundraising efforts, which include the upcoming gala dinner, an annual charity walk in Tlokweng, a soccer tournament in Serowe, and a campaign for recruiting committed givers.

Despite the initiatives, he expressed concern over the growing number of children in need and the slow integration process. As such, he urged the Francistown community to rally around the fundraising activity and the upcoming gala dinner to support the welfare of vulnerable children throughout the country. ENDS