Talent city to house needy children
Lebogang Baingapi | Tuesday September 12, 2017 16:32
The eldest son is currently doing Form 4 at Matsha College in Kang, the second one has failed Form 3, the third and fourth born are both doing Standard 7 and been taken care in by a Good Samaritan here while the last two who are the youngest are accommodated at Mpule Kwelagobe Children Center in Jwaneng for safety.
A court order has since been issued to arrest the mother and charge her for child negligence.
Meanwhile over the weekend, Talent City hosted a fundraising football tournament, music festival and beauty pageant to raise about P25, 000 to start construction of the two-and-half roomed house, which is estimated to cost P70,000.
Maokane social worker, Thatayotlhe Phiri said they assisted the Talent City crew to identify the needy family which also needs most importantly shelter.
She said the children need psychological support because their mother has abandoned them and the normal family structure has failed.
“We have managed to secure temporary accommodation for the two younger ones at Mpule Kwelagobe Children Centre in Jwaneng and the others are with good Samaritans who are not related to them.
They have been disturbed academically and we are hopeful that they will survive the odds with your assistance,” said Phiri.
The area Member of Parliament, Dr Alfred Madigele who also graced the event applauded the organising team for remembering the less privileged and displaying leadership at such a youthful age. He pledged P10,000 towards the project.
Meanwhile, the Good Samaritan who stays with the other two boys who are doing Standard 7, revealed in an interview, on condition of anonymity, that the boys used to play with her son and one day after their mud house collapsed, they sneaked into her tuckshop to sleepwithout her knowledge, but out of goodwill and compassion, she later gave them food and accommodation.
She said though there have been numerous efforts to recruit the mother back to her children, she has shown no sign of returning.
It is also in the Social and Community Development‘s records that the mother was given a tent, food basket and enrolled with Ipelegeng in an endeavour to assist her to stay with her children, but she has since abandoned the kids and left. It is against this background that Talent City is pleading with companies and individuals to pledge their support in monetary funds towards the project. The club leader, Othusitse Siane said with the help of the sponsors, they will complete and hand over the house In December.
Six football teams participated in the tournament and Masteka Printing from Jwaneng walloped Talent City 1-0 to claim the championship. The club will continue to do events of such nature annually to raise funds for the needy.