08 Dec 2024

SOS Francistown welcomed the festive season with a ‘Christmas party’ despite the actual Christmas day being few weeks away. 

Speaking during the event, the National Director for SOS Botswana Mr Motshwari Kitso stated that the event was to appreciate the children at the shelter, affirming to them that they  were not alone nor left out. 

“No child must feel that they are any different from the other”, he added. 

Mr Kitso further stated that children under their care were growing well, adding that the youth had already graduated at the institution and were now independent. 

 Furthermore, Mr Kitso said they have  introduced integration of SOS families  in the community to kill the stigma of having to be institutionalised.

 “As of today in the North East, we have one family living in Tonota, one in Matshelagabedi, four in Chadibe and two in Mathangwane, he said adding that next year they would increase the numbers. 

“By the end of 2025, SOS should be fully integrated”, he added. 

Alternative Care Coordinator for SOS Francistown Mr Nkgopolang Dikwena stated that SOS Francistown currently had 104 children under family-like care and 600 children who were cared for at their homes.  

“We are trying by all means to prevent family separation as SOS”, he stated.

Giving a testimony, SOS care-leaver Mr Morekolodi Mokgwela attested that growing up in SOS really groomed him as it gave him an opportunity to grow up in a family-like setup.

 He stated that even though he had long left the SOS home, he still had SOS at heart as it catapulted him to be able to excel in life.

 Giving an advice to his younger siblings at SOS, Mr Mokgwela encouraged them to work hard to achieve their dreams.

He also discouraged them against the use of drugs which he said had destroyed many lives.

The event also included an award component to recognise children who performed well in their academics and extra-curricular activities as well staff members whose performance was outstanding in their daily duties at SOS. Ends