27 Jul 2026

Child Helpline Botswana has officially opened a new P1.1 million state-of-the-art call centre in Gaborone, in a move set to strengthen the country’s child protection services.

The facility, funded through a grant from the Government of Japan, features two consultation rooms, a boardroom, and eight workstations. Organisers say the centre was built with room to expand as demand for the service grows.

Beyond the new infrastructure, the centre introduces upgraded technology. Children and members of the public will now be able to reach the helpline via WhatsApp. An integrated artificial intelligence system will assist with call translation, while new systems will also allow calls to be recorded and securely stored to improve case management and follow-ups.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Child Helpline Botswana Chairperson Mr Olebile Machete said Japan has supported the organisation since 2010 through its Grassroots Human Security Project, which previously helped establish a medical centre.

He noted that the 116 Child Helpline has made a significant contribution to protecting children in Botswana and is modeled on similar services used across several African countries.

Mr Machete also highlighted government’s decision to zero-rate the helpline, saying it removed cost barriers for children and the public. He added that the organisation’s previous facilities could no longer meet growing demand, prompting the application to the Embassy of Japan under the Grassroots Human Security Project.

“We got the grant for P1.1 million to cover all the costs. It was very ambitious of us, looking at the cost of construction, but we pulled through and managed to complete the project,” he said.
The chairperson said the project went beyond bricks and mortar, with the centre also equipped with modern technology. He acknowledged Nashua for donating computers and software for the facility.

Mr Machete further revealed that the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education has engaged Child Helpline Botswana in the review of the Children’s Act of 2009, with consultations already underway. He assured stakeholders the new facility and technology would be used solely to advance child protection.

Also speaking at the event, Mr Ogawa Shin, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Japan, said the handover fulfilled a commitment made on December 20, 2024, when the Embassy signed a grant contract worth US$85,113 for the call centre.

“This project represents more than the completion of a building. It reflects our shared commitment to national development priorities and international cooperation in advancing human security,” Mr Shin said.

He added that the project aligns with Botswana’s Vision 2036, particularly its human and social development goals, and will provide a safe and accessible platform for children, families, and the public to seek support.

“As we officially hand over this facility today, it is our hope that it will serve as a place where every child can find support, where every voice can be heard, and where every call contributes to a safer and brighter future for Botswana’s children,” he said. ENDS