Anti-GBV volunteer seeks financial aid to shelter victims
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:23
Having grown up witnessing the struggles faced by vulnerable members of her community, including victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and orphans, she hopes to create a space where people facing abuse and hardship can receive shelter, counselling, and essential support services. Marapo revealed that her inspiration stems from witnessing the struggles of GBV survivors who often have nowhere to turn whilst in abusive relationships. With cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse and other forms of mistreatment of women and vulnerable members of community on the rise, she believes that a dedicated shelter will serve as a beacon of hope. The compassionate woman’s journey began years ago when she volunteered to offer any kind of assistance to GBV victims, orphans, and the less privileged in her community.
Then, she said, she listened to their heartbreaking stories, tales of trauma, loss, and the yearning for a fresh start and inspired by their resilience, she decided to take action. Born in Maitengwe and married at Ramokgwebana, Marapo envisioned a place where these individuals could find refuge, receive counselling, and rebuild their lives. In an interview with The Monitor, she highlighted several of incidences that sprung her to action. These included string of murder cases which could have been avoided if the victims could have been given refuge, the sad plight of orphans living miserable lives without proper care and other vulnerable members of the community who need any kind of assistance. Marapo revealed that dozens of women in Botswana have lost their lives at the hands of their lovers because they were stuck in abusive relationships and didn't have anywhere else to seek refuge. “I'm asking for financial aid to establish a shelter that will offer such victims and survivors support and hope whilst in the process, saving their lives. I have registered a trust called ‘Shelter For All’, this shelter won't only be restricted to GBV victims and survivors, it will also extend help to vulnerable people like orphans, elderly people even those with thoughts of committing suicide regardless of their gender. The shelter won't just be a roof over their heads, it will be a sanctuary where they can heal, regain their strength, and find the support they need to thrive. To bring my vision to realisation, I'm pleading for financial help. I have seen many women, children, and even men suffer in silence because they lack a safe space from their abusers,” she said.
The mother of five said some many people are forced to remain in abusive environments because they have no alternative shelter and her dream is to change that by offering them a place of safety. Whilst she has the vision and determination to bring this project to life, financial constraints stand in the way of making the shelter a reality. She is now reaching out to individuals, organisations, and the business community to assist her in securing funding and land to make her dream a reality. “GBV remains a serious concern in Botswana with many survivors struggling to access the help they need due to limited resources. Existing shelters are often overcrowded leaving many victims vulnerable to further harm. My dream is to see myself in years to come having shelters countrywide. The need is urgent, every day that passes without such a facility means more lives are at risk,” said Marapo.