One such facility making a difference is Lorato House Rescue Centre in Maun, a vital institution that provides shelter, care, and stability to abandoned, orphaned, and vulnerable children.

 The centre offers a safe and nurturing environment where children can build a foundation for a better future. 

Founded in 2009 by good Samaritans, Dr Jana Lackey’s family, Lorato House currently accommodates 85 children. It provides residential care, rehabilitation, educational support, and psychological services to prepare children for reunification with families or foster placement. 

During a visit to the centre on Friday, the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, praised the founders and staff for their commitment to breaking cycles of trauma and fostering positive change among vulnerable children. Ms Kenewendo said the centre stands as a beacon of hope, inspiring communities to support fostering and strengthening care systems for orphaned children nationwide.

 “You have provided children with the support and stability they desperately need to thrive and achieve their full potential. 

It is pleasing to learn that this centre does not only cater for vulnerable children in Maun but across the country,” she said, pledging government support to strengthen its operations. 

She also called on the business community and stakeholders to assist the centre in addressing its pressing needs, stressing that every child deserves a better future regardless of their circumstances. She added that when vulnerable children find a nurturing home, their lives change. 

They gain stability, love, and support, which set them on a path toward a successful future. The centre’s Executive Communication and Engagement Officer, Ms Babedi Nshakiwa, welcomed the minister’s visit, saying it serves as motivation for staff to continue their work with dedication.

 She highlighted challenges including transport shortages and inadequate clothing supplies, noting that due to high numbers, children are sometimes forced to share clothes. 

The centre also operates a preschool and provides transport for children attending primary school. Ms Nshakiwa appealed to the public for support, emphasising that “it takes a village to raise a child” and that community involvement can significantly improve the lives of the children. 

Providing background on the centre, Dr Lackey explained that the idea was inspired by a deep concern for abandoned babies. Together with a missionary partner, she visited Nyangagwe Hospital and Princess Marina Hospital to assess the situation of orphaned and abandoned infants. She said they found five babies in Nyangagwe, and God planted a vision in her heart to establish a rescue centre for children aged 0–5, as there was no such facility in the country at the time.

 That is how Lorato House was born. She also noted that the centre employs staff members with disabilities, including deaf officers recruited through the Love Botswana Deaf Heart programme, which advocates for inclusion in education and employment. ENDS