Africa-Press – Botswana. COVID-19 diverted the world’s attention from HIV and AIDS therefore it is imperative that communities be reminded that the disease is still a reality and the fight against it must continue.
Coordinator of Botswana Television’s Talkback programme specialising on HIV and AIDS issues, Ms Esaleone Kgopana told Elephant Havens employees during a recent visit that they must contribute effectively to stopping the spread of HIV.
Fighting HIV needed concerted efforts, she stressed.
Ms Kgopana said education on HIV and AIDS should spread to areas that were not easily accessible such as Ghabamocha.
She urged individuals to take a stand to stop new HIV infections.
‘’It is possible to have an HIV free institution in Elephant Havens and we can only achieve this by practising safe sex,” said Ms Kgopana.
Ms Kgopana urged Elephant Havens to not only create a conducive environment for orphaned elephants but to also engage and enlighten its employees on social ills such as gender based violence (GBV).
Ms Kgopana said they must not shy away from reporting any suspicions of GBV in the workplace.
Women Against Rape (WAR) social worker, Mr Baleseng James also urged Elephant Havens employees to report cases of GBV.
Mr James said they must desist from protecting GBV perpetrators for fear of losing their jobs.
Elephant Havens co-founder and director, Mr Boago Poloko said 14 elephant calves were currently under their care.
He said the calves were subjected to suffering after their mothers were killed by poachers or abandoned in the wilderness.
After rehabilitation and when deemed mature enough to fend for themselves, they would be released into the wilderness, explained Mr Poloko.
The Talkback researchers visited Elephant Havens as a corporate social responsibility project following the completion of a 2023 content development workshop held in Maun.
Located 45 kilometers from Maun at Ghabamocha, Elephant Havens is a habitat for orphaned elephant calves.
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