16 Aug 2018

 In her quest to raise awareness on orphan abuse, director of Miss Orphan Nest Beauty Pageant, Morati Kgari, will this Saturday(August 18) host the  pageant in Gaborone.
The objective of the pageant is to sensitise the public about issues faced by orphans on a daily basis.
In an interview, Kgari revealed that Miss Orphan Nest was a project close to her heart because she is an orphan herself and can thus empathise.
She said she wished to use the pageant as a platform to convey the message to the public and relevant authorities to stand up and join in hands in the fight against orphan abuse, which is still prevalent.
“Miss Orphan Nest Pageant will be a gateway to raising funds for Kubung Primary School in the Kweneng District, which I have adopted,” she narrated.
Miss Orphan Nest comprises of two categories; Kiddies categories for children aged 9-12 and young adults for ladies aged 16-25 years of age, who will be showcasing their talents as they battle for the crown.
Invited entertainers include, among others; Kitso of MyStar fame to serenade revelers with his melodious voice, Mosimanegape Mogodi (Poet) and motivational speakers to raise awareness on the issue.
Kgari promises a night of fun, glitz and glamour.
She said during the pageant, there would be a special feature specifically intended for donations to Kubung Primary School.
“We will have a donation box called a Mirror Box.
The logic behind the Mirror Box is that it represents a reflection of you as you make that donation; that what you donate will be what you would like other people to donate for you if the tables were turned,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Ms Onkatlile Nthutang, a social worker from Childline Botswana, explained that cases of abuse on vulnerable children, inclusive of orphans, were still prevalent.
She said the types of abuse includeed physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Ms Nthutang further mentioned that orphans also suffered from material abuse from their guardians, who deprived them of the property or money that has been left for them as inheritance by their parents.
She however noted that Childline Botswana had programmes specifically designed to assist vulnerable groups of children.
She said they offered such children a place to stay till they find a permanent residence for them, as well as offering public awareness seminars and family re-union services, among others. ENDS