5 hours agoThe Overlooked Crisis in Botswana’s Child Care Centres

In Botswana, thousands of children are deprived of parental care, with the majority having lost their guardians to the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, according to SOS Children’s Villages. Despite the government’s committed efforts to combat the epidemic, human suffering remains widespread, with nearly one in four adults aged 15 to 49 living with the virus. The economic repercussions are profound, as the disease predominantly strikes adults in their most productive years, leaving countless children orphaned and vulnerable.

These children frequently face poverty, inadequate nutrition, and limited access to education. Estimates suggest there are between 130,000 and 160,000 orphans across the country, while about 22% of children, roughly 219,000, live in multidimensional poverty, lacking essentials such as sufficient food, sanitation, or stable shelter. Like in many African nations, Botswana’s placement of children into residential care facilities is governed by the Children’s Act of 2009, a legal framework designed to ensure that children are only removed from their families as a last resort when no safe alternative exists.

The process begins when a social worker, police officer, or community member identifies a child at risk. The matter is then brought before a magistrate, who issues a court order prioritizing the child’s best interests. Children may first be placed in short-term centers, such as those operated by Childline, where they remain while the court determines a permanent solution.

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Long-term care often involves institutions like SOS Children’s Villages, which provide family-style homes for children in need of a stable and nurturing environment. Although Botswana’s child welfare system is regarded as relatively strong, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll. Many care centers have reported a decline in private donations as individuals and local businesses face financial hardships.

UNICEF Botswana highlighted the call from Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, urging the private sector to make bold and strategic investments in the welfare of children and families. “Addressing a high-level dialogue convened by UNICEF Botswana on the UN Global Day of Parents, she urged businesses to go beyond their economic mandates and embrace a deeper societal role. She challenged companies to implement family-friendly policies, expand access to quality education, and embed child rights into their long-term development strategies.” Karabo Segwati, Program Coordinator for Hopeful Horizons, an organization closely engaged with child care centers, shared in an interview that these facilities are chronically under-resourced.

She pointed out that corporate philanthropy remains limited since social responsibility without immediate returns often results in minimal financial support. “Our children in these centres do not have the basics, such as stationery. Above all, they miss out on typical childhood experiences because the centers must allocate their scarce budgets to meet essential needs.

Activities that nourish the spirit, visits to water parks, amusement parks, and other recreational outings, become distant dreams they only observe their peers enjoying at school. This situation can severely undermine their self-esteem.” Segwati proposed that a more sustainable solution would be the development of a robust foster care system to provide children with safe, loving homes. “Adoption in Botswana is a lengthy process, with laws dating back to the 1950s, which can be quite frustrating.

Meanwhile, the country could employ more social workers to facilitate the foster care process. Children could stay in centers for three to six months while thorough family assessments are conducted. This represents a long-term answer to our crisis.” Under the Children’s Act, foster care is a temporary arrangement where families or individuals provide homes for children who cannot safely remain with their biological families.

Just last month, the Social and Community Development office in Moshupa District Councils launched its inaugural foster care program to address rising cases of child abuse. However, reports indicate that Botswana’s foster care system struggles to fulfill its mission as a protective alternative to institutional care. Segwati emphasized that although legislative updates have been proposed, their implementation lags, making adoption by non-relatives a cumbersome and infrequent outcome.

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