ABM Univesristy college donates to SOS
Staff Writer | Monday November 16, 2015 15:44
Molefhi stated that in 2013, ABM University College undertook a three week study to establish and understand SOS as an organisation, its mandate, operations and the general perception that Batswana have about SOS. This study was driven by the Community Engagement Department of the college which was led by a social worker and youth worker, the marketing students and their lecturers.
During this study, approximately 875 Batswana were interviewed around the country and the general finding initially made was that a significant number of Batswana are aware of the existence of SOS but they are unclear of its mandate of taking care of destitute, orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children.
The study also revealed that most Batswana were of the view that SOS was financially stable and therefore did not require any assistance. Molefhi also stated that this study dispelled the institution’s perceptions about SOS. She said because SOS is an international organisation, the assumption has always been that it is doing well financially and did not require any assistance.
The institution also found out that from 2014, the donations from SOS International would fall from 70% to 46%. This reduction in contribution by SOS International will continue to decrease and this means that SOS Botswana is in dire need of assistance.
Molefhi explained that after completion of this study, ABM University College realised that this is a group that could not be ignored anymore because all these children were victims of circumstances.
ABM, in collaboration with SOS therefore embarked on a three months awareness campaign in 2013 to sensitise Batswana about SOS and the need that the organisation has. This awareness campaign included radio interviews, adverts in newspapers, pamphlets with SOS information, painting of the SOS Tlokweng village, and a five-aside football tournament between Haskins, Spar, Mascom, Orange, Med Rescue, Regent Insurance and Choppies among other companies.
All these events culminated in a fundraising gala dinner that was held at Tlotlo Conference Centre which raised P297,500. Molefhi declared that the dinner, which was a success, was aimed at bringing awareness to the corporate world about SOS. This led to SOS deciding to make the occasion an annual event.
Molefhi proudly announced that their mission of awareness was achieved as they later learnt that other corporates had joined the bandwagon and are actively supporting SOS.
Molefhi stated that as evidenced by a testimony of a high achiever student, SOS is developing a complete individual through their education schemes and they must be applauded for this. After the study, ABM University College committed P1.2 million towards the Botswana SOS Children’s Village for the next four years from 2015, of which P900,000 will be paid over the next three years at P300,000 annually. ABM presented the first cheque of P300,000 during the fund raising gala dinner.
Molefhi however stated that this was “a drop in the ocean” given the fact that the SOS’s budget is P18 million annually and the fact that SOS International has significantly decreased the funds being given to SOS Botswana. Molefhi therefore implored other corporate players to assist SOS in their mandate of helping abandoned, vulnerable and orphaned children.