22 Apr 2024

Former Miss Botswana, Palesa Molefe has launched her first edition of children’s affirmations book titled, O Shapo, O Sho, which aims to play a crucial role in building children’ self esteem, confidence and resilience.

The book is a collection of affirmations for children and she is of the view that it will help children develop positive self-image, increase their self-worth as well as instill in them, the belief that they are capable and deserving happiness, success and love.

The book was launched at the Cresta Matlapana, Maun, over the weekend, where the former beauty queen, explained that the book would have a positive impact on children aged between 8 and 12 years as it would give them hope and courage that they could overcome their challenges and achieve their life goals.

“I have realised that our children are faced with challenges of mental health, anger issues and I believe that when they read positive and uplifting books, their sense of identity and self-worth increases,” she said.

Her hope is for children to read the book and let their light shine.

She noted that during her youthful times, things were not always easy but through affirmation and pouring of love into the light inside her, her self-belief grew into a big, bright shining star.

Molefe further noted that belief was one of the strongest things one could have because it could open up the world of possibilities where the power lies.  

She said the book talked about values that help to shape and guide children’s moral compass indicating that it would also teach them to process their emotions and understand that all feelings are normal and accepted.

The book also came as a result of her project as Miss Botswana 2021, which focused on mental health for children.

“My heart was touched by the light I saw inside each and every one of these children and I could not bear the thought of that light being dimmed because of life circumstances hence I published a child-friendly book of affirmation for any one to read and remember how amazing they are,” she added.

Meanwhile, Molefe, in collaboration with Woman To Woman, donated 47 books to the Maun-based Bana Ba Letsatsi (BBL) Rehabilitation Centre to support the centre and bring hope to its beneficiaries.
BBL is a haven for vulnerable children in Maun and surrounding villages.

The centre  strives to rehabilitate them back into schools and society and Molefe is of the view that the books will help them in their personal development to have a healthy and positive outlook of life.

The affirmations, she said, were not just words put together but they were reflections of the light inside them and she believed that the books would help them to realise their dreams and live life to the fullest.

Prior to the launch, she visited  the centre to appreciate its operations as well as interact with the children and she was touched by role the centre played in ensuring learning opportunities for all children including those out of school or at risk of dropping out due to a variety of reasons.  

BBL executive director, Ms Taboka Rotsi thanked the former beauty queen and Woman To Woman management for the good gesture saying it would indeed make a huge difference in the lives of the children.

She said the centre had  children whose parents left them to fend for themselves and thus resulted in some roaming the streets eating from rubbish bins while some indulged in social ills.

The children, she said, lacked parental love and since they enrolled with the centre, they had been transformed into responsible citizens noting that some had graduated and were excelling in all aspects of life.

“These children need your support as stakeholders and the community to raise them into responsible people and it is pleasing to see some organisations coming forth to show them love through donations such as books and I appeal to other organisations to emulate such efforts for the betterment and benefit of the children,” she added. ENDS