BREEDING MONSTERS The plight of orphans and neglected children
Some children in parts of Botswana find themselves without parental care, protection and support, Executive Director of Masiela Trust Fund, Magogodi Dabutha has lamented. She cited poor parenting skills and complete negligence as some of the top challenges the organisation grapples with daily, including in urban areas like Gaborone.
In the Kweneng west area, Dabutha said this week ahead of the Trust Fund’s annual fundraising Gala Dinner scheduled for this Thursday, that several orphaned children have difficulty getting national identity cards because relatives cannot assist them.
Heart wrenchingly, many of these children do not even have death certificates of their deceased parents. Some do not have P100 for late registration of O mang, because late registration attracts a fee.
“How can we expect these children to grow up well and behave well, when they are not parented,” she wondered, adding that “children are raped on a daily basis, they are being trafficked, and no one reports these incidents. Nobody fights for the rights of these children.”
The non-profit making organisation was established in 2001 by government as a national response to orphans in Botswana. It is now focused on three thematic pillars - rights of children to citizenship, education and protection.
Dabutha said there are children in Botswana, who stay in un-gazetted places and are not registered when they are born. Some do not even know how old they are and do not go to school, nor access any health care. She said rape incidents, which are rampant in such areas, are never reported.
As far as education is concerned, they have shifted their focus on tertiary education, and support children to be able to go for higher education and break the cycle of poverty in their communities. “We support with tuition fee, toiletries, clothing and accommodation, depending on the needs of the children,” she told The Midweek Sun.
Dabutha said they tackle issues of child protection, head on, for example, in cases including rape, divorce where children become displaced in the midst of custody battles, and seek to promote the best interest of the child.
“We also intervene and help with prevention programmes for children taking drugs and alcohol in different communities,” adding that they teach children and raise awareness about child trafficking.
She appealed to all to come on board and support Masiela Trust Fund efforts of safeguarding the welfare of children across Botswana. Masiela Trust Fund is ready to train role players including Police, social workers, lawyers, among others that they work with about child sexual abuse as well as the Children’s Act.
Sadly, although the law demands everyone to report any incidents of abuse of children, people still do not want to report.
This year, Golden Door Sports Agency, headed by Botswana’s first Olympian Glody Dube is partnering with Masiela Trust Fund to raise funds. The organisation will organise a half marathon for July next year.
Speaking on Monday, Glody Dube said his organisation, which is recognised by the World Athletics and Botswana Athletics, has agreed to work with Masiela Trust Fund.
“If you ignore children, you are ignoring the future,” Dube said, adding that part of their partnership will be to lead the organisation of the Bonang Bana half marathon, whose proceeds will go towards Masiela Trust Fund.
“We have already reached out to other organisations that we work with so that they also support this good cause,” he said. Unlike in other marathons that are often won by international athletes, priority will be given to local athletes. Dube further appealed to corporates to support prize money of winners of the marathon
In addition to the marathon, Masiela Trust Fund will this week host their annual Gala Dinner at Cresta Lodge under the theme, ‘Ending Violence Against Children,’ where the Bonang Bana
Half Marathon partnership will be launched.
Tickets for the Gala Dinner go for P10 000 corporates per table of 10 and P1000 for individuals.
To further raise funds for children in need and in the care of Masiela Trust Fund, Mothusi Lesolle of Izaura, a fashion house that creates luxury street wear and high-end fashion will also donate a dress that will be auctioned at the Gala Dinner.
Lesolle, a local fashion powerhouse has over the years, used fashion to impact communities in the most positive ways. Proceeds from the auction will go towards helping children in need.