Senior soldiers adopt needy children
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday November 4, 2014 15:58
The beneficiaries of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) adopt-a-child initiative are two girls and a boy. Three senior army officers Major Beach Ndubo, Lieutenant Boitumelo Lehutso and Major Modiege Leepile identified these children during the Francistown Military Heath Services (MHS) outreach proaject. They donated clothing and toiletry to 47 needy people in Mowana village during the project.
During an interview, officers disclosed that they were touched to witness the children receiving school uniforms and this had prompted them to be their caretakers. They added that this noble gesture was inspired by President Ian Khama’s proposal of helping the needy.
The chairperson of MHS Major Ndubo said that they have set themselves a target of raising donations as MHS employees and donate to the needy and this year they chose the Mowana community.
He said the initiative was influenced by Lehutso since she was the first one to opt to be a caretaker to one needy little girl they met in Mowana.
“I have chosen to be a caretaker to a nine-year-old boy, doing standard three. I chose him after I learnt that he was an orphan and in dire need of help. I have pledged to buy him school uniforms and pay his school fees. I will also buy him food and cater for any other things he might need as of today,” he said. Ndubo added that finances permitting, he would care for the boy until he completes his primary school. He however asserted his desire to assist him further thereafter.
“I want to visit his guardians. They will be better equipped to help me identify his needs. I get hurt when I see young children without care and love from their parents because I know how important parental care and support is,” he said.
Another Good Samaritan, Lieutenant Lehutso, divulged that she had been helping needy children in her home village of Tsabong, since her days as a University of Botswana student. This is a continuation of a project that lies close to her heart.
Major Leepile, a married father of three chose to be a caregiver to a nine-year-old girl doing her standard three. He said he would offer her support and care throughout her childhood.
“My intention is to meet her guardians and discuss how I can assist her, establish her needs and take over. I want her to bond with my family and will invite her to visit us during school holidays. This year I am going to buy her lovely Christmas clothes when I take my family shopping,” he said.