Francistown Chinese community donates to SOS

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Thursday January 27, 2011 00:00

The donation was made in the spirit of compassion under the auspices of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Director of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Gao Yuwang said such charitable work would continue. 'We as Chinese have been around in this country for many years and we want to improve our ability to help the needy in this country as this will strengthen relations between our country and yours,' said Yuwang. Secretary general of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Aina Xu said they have plans to make donations to other needy institutions and urged other organisations to do the same. She explained that the money for the children's village came from proceeds collected from members of the Chinese business community in Francistown.

Lydia Mhlelu, director of SOS children's Village, said the donation will go a long way in shaping the children's future so that they can contribute to the development of their communities and the country.  Mhlelu said the SOS Villages in Francistown have enhanced the lives of many youth over its years of existence in the country and hopes to reach more children in the years to come. These people, she said, are now contributing their quota in diverse ways to their communities and national development.

There are three SOS villages in the country, in Francistown, Tlokweng and Serowe. These villages house about 190 children in family-based care and 512 in the recently introduced family strengthening programme. SOS Botswana is also in partnership with the United States Department of Labor in caring for 1,100 children exposed to exploitative child labour. This programme provides uniforms for the children, while the staff organises placement in schools and other support during the holidays.  For all its work, SOS relies on public support, both nationally and internationally.