AWCO raises P3 000, donates to orphanage

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Wednesday June 23, 2010 00:00

AWCO, in conjunction with Madame Queens Modelling Agency, held a beauty pageant on May 29 to raise the funds for the orphanage. Other items donated were clothes, bags and toys.

The theme of the pageant was Bokamoso bo mo diatleng tsa banana ('the future is determined by the youth').Tsolamosese headman Kgosi Manyana Mokgalagadi quoted a Setswana proverb that says lore lo ojwa le sa le metsi, which loosely means 'people are taught responsibility at a younger age'.

He said that college students conducting such projects is in a way teaching the children how to become responsible adults.

'This is one of the simple ways of securing the future of the nation as we are nurturing a caring and loving nation in the process,' he said.

Kgosi Mokgalagadi, however, appealed to the nation to assist in preparation of the orphanage's drainage system.He said that the campus is normally flooded during the rainy season, making it difficult for the children to attend school.

Sister Margaret Mosala, the Kamogelo Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Day Care Centre coordinator, said most people the orphanage has worked with have come and gone, but the youngsters had remained with them.

'We were introduced to the students last year and because they will be graduating from ABM soon they decided not to leave without offering something special to the school,' she said.

ABM student welfare officer, Mmilili Kenneth said he is proud of the students for their gesture.

'When they first started I was not really involved, but when I realised the objectives behind their project I developed a lot of interest,' he said. Mmilili said orphans just like any child need to be loved and cared for.

He said what AWCO has done is in line with one of Vision 2016 pillars that strives for a loving and caring nation.'Most of the children here are too young to understand what is happening, but once they grow up they will recall such events,' he said.

AWCO is a registered club that was established in 2008. The executive committee comprises Kesaobaka Kgadimapa, Matlhogonolo Thapelo and Keatlaretse Moseki who are all students at ABM. Pageant sponsors included Cafe Quest, Primi Piatti, Skylite, SOS Village and ABM University College.