UNICEF donation brings joy to

The United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s School In a Box kit holds much more than just school supplies. It represents hope and the right to education for children in rural communities and the low-income families. For early childhood learning, the school in a box kit apart from learning continuity, also provides healing to children who have lived through times of trauma.

The school in a box kit initiative according to UNICEF country representative to Botswana, Dr Komanzi Mothengi also brought about joy to the children as some develop new found excitement for school. He said UNICEF learnt that thousands of families and 1 800 children were affected by the flood, preventing some learners from going to school since many communities in Kgatleng and other districts were affected. The donation that included 78 boxes of early childhood leaning material, 50 boxes of stationery, 2 006 school bags and 46 boxes of recreational material targeted 20 000 learners across the country, and is part of UNICEF’s mandate : No Child is left Behind.

Since government prioritises Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Dr Muthengi said UNICEF had partnered with government to attain the education transformational process. “We are committed to strengthening Botswana’s education by working with other partners to supplement these efforts,” he said. Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Ms Nono Kgafela- Mokoka, acknowledged UNICEF’s impactful support in foundational learning, and that the donation would complement government’s interventions underway to strengthen STEM.

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She commended the organisation for playing a part in education, stating that government’s partnership with UNICEF was critical in providing support to vulnerable children and bridging the education gaps. Ms Kgafela- Mokoka assured partners that donation would be used transparently and in line with its intended purpose. She said the ministry had been tasked with ensuring that the learning environment was child friendly as the enrolment of foundational learning was increased.

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