Child sponsor letter from Tlokweng
25/09/2008
Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Tlokweng, August 2007
Dumela(greetings) from a sunny Botswana where we are already experiencing warmer mornings and lovely hot, near Spring days. As always we all hold much hope for the anticipated summer rains Right now the entire country is very dry, dusty and with little green and even less vegetation for the cattle and wildlife. The Gaborone Dam which supplies our city and the surrounds with water is a mere 25% full - 75% empty!
Our SOS Village Tlokweng is fortunate to have a System that recycles the grey water and is then used for the gardens that continue to produce a steady supply of vegetables for the families. The vegetable gardens are for many children a great “source of pride” as some spend many dedicated hours in cultivating their family’s vegetable patch a source of inspiration is when every so often a surprise award is given to the house with the most abundant garden. Spinach, beetroot, onions, cabbages are some of the more successful vegetables that we grow.
Today in the Tlokweng Village there are 239 children and youth - with sadly, almost no room to welcome new children in need. Available space is now dependent on our youth becoming self-supporting and leaving our care. Youth becoming independent is a more frequent occurrence due to the fact that we have been in operation for 21 years. This is a rewarding phase for us as many youth who have completed formal and tertiary education are securing work and becoming self-reliant. Right now we have several youth attending good Skills Training Centres and doing courses such as Bricklaying, Carpentry, Horticulture and Home Crafts. With these acquired skills finding work becomes easier. We are also proud to have six youth attending Universities and Colleges in South Africa - not only are they proving themselves academically but also they are coping with independence.
Traditional dancing is very much a part of the Botswana culture.
In previous news we mentioned that the mothers in Tlokweng took it upon themselves to build a traditional hut at the far end of the Village. Children now play here, mothers hold meetings and as the photograph shows - our traditional dancers perform here too.
The SOS Traditional dancers often perform at various functions in and around Gaborone and are always well applauded. The singing together with the clapping of hands and the beautiful, beating rhythm of the dancers is an amazing African experience - for both audience and dancers.
Thank you for your good support that enables us to provide children not only with a home, family, food and education - but enables them also to dance!
Yours sincerely
Kathy Ferreira, Sponsorship
Relevant Countries: Botswana.