Africa-Press – Botswana. SOS Botswana is calling out to be assisted to sustain itself.
SOS villages national director, Mr Motshwari Kitso said during the second annual SOS Charity Walk and Run in Tlokweng on Saturday that the fact that Botswana had been classified as self-sustaining, international sponsorships had pulled out on the children’s villages.
Botswana’s human development index, gross domestic product and the low child vulnerability levels were some of the factors that contributed to the country attaining a self-sustaining country status.
He said even though the pulling out of donors was done gradually over the years and would finally be done with by 2027, the organisation had to build capacity and a sustainability plan to ensure self-sustenance.
He, therefore, called on companies and individuals to partner with SOS in order for it to achieve its long term strategy of self-sustenance.
Mr Kitso said the SOS was doing all it could to keep afloat, adding that the charity walk and run event was one of the self-help contributors towards the path of sustainability.
He said as such the partnerships sought after were meant to augment the organisation’s sources of income and keep the Tlokweng and Francistown villages afloat.
The director said the new institutional strategy dictated that they deinstitutionalise, which meant that they were moving children from the institutions to stay in the community.
He further said the organisation had managed to fully integrate 15 of their families into the community, against the target of 22 families in 2024.
Mr Kitso said in the Francistown region, there were families staying in the child-friendly communities of Matshelagabedi, Mathangwane, Chadibe, Borolong and Tonota.
He said for Tlokweng branch, they had moved two families to stay in Mochudi and Taung respectively. Other families are in Serowe.
Mr Kitso explained that the deinstitutionalisation came about after the realisation that the institutional set up was outdated and there was stigma associated with the institution.
He said they were looking to make the charity walk and run an annual signature event and that he was impressed with the increase in attendance from 300 in 2023 to 700 people at the 2024 walk.
SOS board chairperson, Ms Esther Kanaimba-Senai said SOS sustenance was hinged on individuals and government grants, which were insufficient.
Ms Kanaimba-Senai said it was tough post COVID-19, but they were in a space of recovery.
She said no donation was too little for the organisation, saying even P100 would go a long way in helping in the running of SOS, adding that such gestures made sure that no child would grow alone.
Ms Kanaimba-Senai said SOS was committed to that children were raised to realise their full potential.
Chief walker, Cresta Marekanelo CEO, Mr Mokwena Morulane pledged P75 000 on behalf of his company. He encouraged giving for the sake of vulnerable children.
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