CHILDLINE BOTSWANA UPHOLDS MANDATE DESPITE COVID-19 CHALLENGES By Chedza Mmolawa
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n almost every African country, you will come across this famous proverb, 'It takes a village to raise a child,' which speaks to the positive upbringing of a child. The proverb is attached to many different cultures in Africa, but the meaning is always the same; it simply means that it takes an entire community of people to provide for and interrelate positively with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. Based on this proverb, Doreen Khama and Kay Smith established Childline Botswana in 1990 to create and provide a safe environment for children who were victims of abuse and unfavourable social circumstances. Childline Botswana is a non-governmental and non-profit-making organisation founded as a response to the escalating numbers of child abuse cases in Botswana and the need to protect children. The organi-
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sation seeks to address other related welfare issues through nurturing and intervention strategies like education, counselling, casework, and alternative care programmes.
CHALLENGES
To an extent, the organisation has achieved the above-stated roles, but this did not come without challenges. Seitebatso Kegakilwe, a Social Worker at the Centre, gave an insight into the daily management of the organization. She stated that one of the challenges the organization faces is public education. TRC: What are the challenges faced by the organization, and how have you overcome them? SK: We are challenged by a lack of awareness of child-related legislation among community mem-
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