Desmond lost his mother to heart failure when he was just 19. Four years later he visited Masiye Camp in Zimbabwe and his life changed forever. Despite having trained in civil engineering, Desmond identified strongly with other orphans and was trained as a trainer by Masiye Camp. In 2002 he moved to Botswana where no one was providing this sort of emotional and social support to orphans and set up an organisation called SAPPSI that collaborated with Catholic, Anglican, Salvation Army and Nazerene churches in the capital.
"We must support the young people who are caring for the dying. In 10 years time, after the grandparents’ generation has gone, the only people left in Africa will be its young people. We identified kids like 8 year old Tumelo who were very quiet and didn't play properly and found they were often caring for dying parents"
Thanks to Desmond's vision SAPPSI established 4 Kids' Clubs and Adventure Camps in Gaborone. In 2004, the program's impact was recognised by UNICEF who funded SAPPSI to train other organsations across wider Botswana, impacting thousands more children. For many orphans it is the first time they have ever enjoyed simple childhood pleasures and relaxing away from the sadness and pressures of home. Canoeing, abseiling, games and drama workshops are accompanied by group therapy to address grief and one on one mentoring and counselling. Home visits ensured that when parents died, their children stayed in school and a safe guardian cared for them.
HOPEHIV want to continue to support kids clubs in Botswana but we need your help. £60 will pay for an orphaned child to go to a 5 day residential kids' activity camp. DONATE NOW.