Lobatse charity centre holds Open day

Kgomotso Molelekeng | Monday February 24, 2014 16:20

The day was also held to raise awareness and reach out to the community by sensitizing them about the services the centre offers.

The organisation offers any form of assistant, be it in accommodation or food for orphans, vulnerable children, people living with mental illness and also gives palliative care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Lobatse.

The day, which was held at St Theresa Catholic Church, attracted a large number of attendees of different ages.

Speaking to the organisor of the event, John Mestelske, he mentioned that the intended purpose of the day was to recognise those who have been offering support and help be it in the form of funding or food for the centre.

“We wanted to show gratitude and awareness on BAPR and relative stakeholders. These people have been helping us financially and as a result they have also contributed in raising dignity for the community but more importantly they have made a huge difference in someone’s life,” he said.

He added that the day was also held to make more people aware of being part of some cooperate social responsibility for the Lobatse community. He mentioned that since the formation of the centre they had helped many people who were struggling.

“The centre offers assistance in the form of counseling for patients living with HIV, we hold visitations for anyone who wishes to come, workshops for substance abuse and journey of light programmes which deal with positive living for people, play therapy for children and daily feeding programmes,” he said.

He said the centre was started in 1993 to help people who are affected with mental disability but it has grown to assist other vulnerable people.  Mestelske further mentioned that the centre might in the future spread to other parts of the country as they have had visits from people from as far away as Kanye, Moshupa and Digawana. “Even on Saturday, most people who attended were from those places which points out that they need our services closer to them as they are vulnerable and mostly cannot afford to travel,” he said.

The centre is located off Okavango Street at St Theresa Catholic Church.