11 Dec 2025

At just 37 years old, Ms Kelly Maphucheka is passionately working to reshape the concept of purpose.

Approaching the age of 40, a time often said to mark the beginning of a new chapter in life, this dedicated philanthropist and human rights advocate from Tatisiding is already making a remarkable impact in the lives of those in need.

As a mother of three lively boys, two twins and their younger sibling, Ms Maphucheka’s journey reflects her steadfast commitment to service and community upliftment.

With a robust record of charitable efforts in Francistown, Ms Maphucheka serves as an inspiring figure in her community.

She has successfully collaborated with various local businesses, including My Spar, Fours, Sefalana, Coca-Cola, Global Lubricants and Debonairs, to make a tangible difference.

Through these partnerships, she has been able to provide vital support to children at the Lephoi Centre, delivering necessities such as school uniforms, bags, shoes and sanitary products thanks to contributions from African Child at Work, a South African charity.

Her philanthropic activities go even further, she has organised festive Christmas parties, distributed meals, including soup and bread, to vulnerable children and played a crucial role in a fundraising dinner for the Francistown SOS Children’s Village during a time of dwindling international support.

Her passion for compassion towards the less privileged was born out of her own experiences growing up in the Mmoroso ward of Tatisiding.

Ms Maphucheka recalls being deeply touched by families in her neighbourhoods who went to bed without a single meal and she began to ponder the plight of children in those families.

“My family was not that poor and we lived a good life like anybody else as my father was working, but what touched me a lot were those that did not have anything,” she said.

This early empathy for the struggles of others has driven her to address food insecurity and empower children in need.

“I started all of this as an individual, fuelled by a deep sense of passion,” Ms Maphucheka noted, underscoring her personal dedication.

However, she quickly recognised that her vision required more than individual efforts.

In 2023, she founded the Feed a Child Movement, a structured platform to facilitate her charitable initiatives.

“It all began during the SOS fundraising dinner, I realised I needed an organised entity to help advance my mission,” she explained.

With a background in journalism and a deep awareness of the struggles faced by  families, Ms Maphucheka has channelled her passion into addressing food insecurity and empowering children in need.

Her approach goes beyond immediate aid, she is nurturing skills and talents to help children not just survive, but also thrive.

 

Through Feed A Child, which she established in 2023, Ms Maphucheka is providing food assistance while also focusing on holistic

Although still in the registration process, the movement has expanded its focus to include skill development and talent nurturing across various sectors, especially agriculture, which plays a crucial role in Botswana’s rural economy.

“Feed a Child is about far more than just providing meals, it is about fostering skills and talents to bring about sustainable change,” Ms Maphucheka said.

Her vision is to cultivate world changers and critical thinkers who will emerge as agents of transformation in their communities.

Despite some misconceptions surrounding her work, she remains committed to sharing credible stories that resonate with the mission.

With the assistance of business consultants and a global agricultural network, Ms Maphucheka is developing proposals and innovative outreach ideas, inviting others to join her impactful journey.

“What is in it for you is the very same network,” she said, encouraging collaboration.

As she pushes towards the official registration of the Feed a Child Movement, Ms Maphucheka’s aspirations are set to elevate.

With ambitions to extend her work throughout Botswana, her vision is both simple and profound.

“We are training world changers and critical thinkers, and this is just the beginning. Through Feed a Child, we aim to nurture talents, empower communities and cultivate a legacy of hope and resilience for generations to come,” she said.

Her efforts are a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and those familiar with her work say she was creating a more holistic approach to aid, empowering children to become agents of change in their own right.

With plans to register Feed A Child and expand its reach across Botswana, Ms Maphucheka is eager to involve more community members and organisations in her mission.

Her work highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling challenges that government support alone cannot address.

Ms Maphucheka invited individuals and businesses to join her cause. She urged people to volunteer their time to help with programmes that feed, nurture and develop the talents of children in the community, believing that every hour counted is making a difference.

She said donations of food supplies, educational materials, or other resources were also welcomed, as every contribution directly impacted the lives of vulnerable children.

She encouraged the use of social media and community platforms to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these children and the work that Feed A Child was doing, noting that amplifying the message could drive more support to the cause. ENDS