Volunteer Plans Sponsored Walk To Assist Children

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday July 12, 2010 00:00

 

Prior to sitting down with this young woman, who has committed herself to contributing positively towards shaping a brighter future for vulnerable children, The Monitor team is greeted by a loud and jovial atmosphere filled with the chanting of 'Twinkle, twinkle little star.'

These chanting children are the little stars that Makwinja has committed herself to, yet the biggest challenge faced by the organisation in making life better for these young ones is lack of money. 

Makwinja, together with others have volunteered their services to try and raise money to continue the work of the organisation which has assisted so many children.

One way of addressing this issue is the proposed walk from July17-31, that will start from Francistown Central to Block seven in Gaborone - a distance of 437 kilometres.

Makwinja is hopeful they will be successful in raising the target figure of P150,000 from the walk.

Makwinja has no qualms about her role in this walk despite her asthmatic medical condition.

She is confident that her heart, which welcomes this challenge will carry her feet along this long distance.

It is this zeal that made her switch academic paths from Politics to Child Psychology and Care.

'Dealing with vulnerable children on its own is not easy, and some situations are tough in the sense that the child may have undergone a lot; which could leave one mentally strained,' she says. 

Rest points during which she will visit charitable organisations working towards improving the living conditions of underprivileged children will characterise the 14 days walk.

She affirms that walking is her best form of exercise and giving without receiving makes her complete.

Makwinja started doing volunteer work in 2008 but due to time constraints as a student she says she could not extend a helping hand like she had always envisaged.

Before joining Chidline she had a rosy picture of colourfully painted walls shielding children from the harsh conditions that life had exposed them to.

'The organisation has an operational capital problem,' she says.

She says the economic meltdown has had a serous impact on donor reliant organisations such as Childline.

 Having started charity and volunteer work while at high school, Makwinja says her ultimate dream is to help raise money for the organisation so that more children can be assisted. 

Makwinja is part of a fundraising committee working to raise money for Childline Botswana.

Former Miss Botswana Sumaiyah Marope and Women of Jazz are also involved. Others events lined up include a concert to be held after the walk.

The ultimate goal is to raise P500,000 from all these activities.