Molepolole Baptist Care Center

Two weeks ago, the Molepolole Baptist Care Center had its official opening. The Care Center is the second of its kind to be opened here through the local Baptist churches here in Botswana to help poor and vulnerable children who have lost either one or both parents most likely due to AIDS. Botswana has one of the highest AIDS infection rates of any country in the world leaving about 20% of children as orphans. Most often though, these children are placed in the care of an extended family member like a grandparent or aunt/uncle, but they are often seen as a burden and not cared for properly. The Molepolole Care Center and it predecessor the Lobatse Orphan Care Center bring children in after school and help them with their schoolwork, read to them, feed them, invest in them spiritually through bible stories and songs. The children are chosen by a social worker so as there is not jealousy throughout the community as to why children are chosen…these children are “the least of these”.

One little girl has AIDS that was passed down from a parent and she has already had a heart attach due to the fact she was taking her ARVs (medicine for AIDS) but did not have any food to eat to go with it and her heart could not take it. Now she gets to come 5 days a week and receive a hot meal at least once a day and has a better quality of life with the ARVs but she will never get rid of this horrible infection her parents gave her…BUT her hope now is in Jesus Christ!

Both Lobatse Baptist Church and Molepolole Baptist Church did not have the capabilities through their tithe to sustain these 2 care centers, but they stepped out in faith knowing the Lord would provide for them. They have learned to make materials to sell such as head bands made by local scrap materials donated from shops and coffee cozies and scarfs hand knitted from donated yarn. It’s amazing to see the Lord provide and the ladies trust in the Lord for their every need.

 

Above: Rachel is one of the two girls who has helped start this second orphan care center. They now have two national ladies working full time with them who will take over when they leave later this year.

Above: Washing hands before the celebration mea

Above: The Molepolole Care Center staff and children. They will start with 9 children (2 not pictured) and will grow as time goes by.

We ask that you pray for the children and the workers at the Molepolole Care Center! If you want to purchase any of the materials made by the ladies working at the care centers you can go to http://reclaimedproject.org/.