On Thursday 12 March, the National AIDS Commission, through the Social Responsibility Committee donated a total of 44 pairs of school shoes to children housed at St. Rachel’s orphanage in Maputsoe Ha Nyenye.

The donation was a response to a request made by the orphanage to NAC; requesting assistance in providing the children at the Centre with shoes, as it was a struggle to provide for all the needs of the children at the orphanage.

NAC was able to provide assistance because in addition to its mandate of coordinating the national response to HIV and AIDS, it also has a social responsibility to support non-governmental organizations in their quest to reduce the impact of poverty in communities.

Speaking on behalf of NAC, Mr. Jothame Phakisi indicated that it was humbling to see happy faces of children who are orphaned; which showed the mighty and presence of God in the orphanage. He conveyed appreciation to the owners and caregivers of the orphanage on the difficult task they have overtaken, raising so many children in their own home.

The District Administrator, Mr. Molise Mofolo also reiterated Mr. Phakisi’s words that the children at St. Rachel’s did not depict a picture of children who no longer have parents; a picture that is unusual these days as children suffer at the hands of relatives as soon as their parents die; people who should take responsibility of their own blood are the very ones that are mean to such children.

The District Administrator applauded the couple for even providing education for the children, since the orphanage also comprises a pre-school and a primary school up to standard 7, which also accommodates commuting children from the surrounding villages. He therefore wished Mr. and Mrs. Molale more blessings so that they will continue to be ambassadors of goodwill amid the challenges they encounter.

Mrs. ‘Masalemone Molale, the founder and owner of the orphanage, indicated that indeed it was hard to run the home, especially in her case where she lives with them in her own home together with her children. Some of the challenges she faced were feelings of jealousy among the children as well as anti-social behavior among the older ones who have entered adolescence.

She expressed her gratitude to NAC for the wonderful gifts that the children received saying that the joy of receiving gifts was vigilant in the faces of the little ones.

Most of the children at the home were said to be orphans, while only a few had been abandoned by their mothers at birth.