Child Sponsorship Background from Gabarone, Botswana

SOS Children's Village Tlokweng, near Gabarone

The SOS Children's Village Tlokweng offers a new home to up to 192 children and was officially opened by the Minister of Home Affairs in 1986. It comprises sixteen family houses, houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave), an administration area, a small clinic and a multi-purpose hall.

Other SOS Projects in Tlokweng

Fruit orchards and vegetable beds were laid out on about two hectares of land, supplying the SOS Children's Village with most of the food needed. The SOS Children's Village Tlokweng also includes two SOS Vocational Training Centres, which were established with local financial support. Vocational training courses in welding, carpentry, sewing, cooking and home-economics are offered. The SOS Youth Home accommodates youths during the time of their vocational training or education and gives them a chance to prepare for an independent life under the guidance of their youth leaders. It consists of three buildings, one on the premises of the SOS Children's Village, one in the town of Tlokweng and one in Gaborone, and each house has a capacity for fifteen youths.

Background to Gabarone and Tlokweng

Gabarone is the capital city of Botswana.  It has a population approaching 200,000.  Tlokweng, where the SOS Children's Village is located, is directly adjacent to Gabarone.  It is part of the wider conurbation of Gabarone.  Tlokweng is well known as a location associated with 'The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series', written by Alexander McCall Smith, who is a supporter of our work in Botswana.