Limkokwing University Botswana’s Special Needs Unit recently held the first ever induction for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programme students.

Limkokwing University believes in creating a better life for as many people as possible.  We are especially concerned that many who have the ability are often unable to participate meaningfully in the economic life of their countries owning to constraints in acquiring knowledge and relevant skills. This is especially true in Botswana as we strive to create a community that is inspired to take care of the nation and each other.

Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) is a programme by the government of Botswana, led by the Ministry of Local Government with a main aim of providing care and support to orphans. One of its primary duties is ensuring that orphans receive quality education, including progressing to tertiary level. The induction was held at the Limkokwing University Botswana’s campus and was attended by various organisations, including the Botswana Department of Social Services.

Limkokwing University currently has about 400 students under the programme, 118 having just started their studies this semester. The University has set forth support structures such as academic monitoring, continuous counselling, and an open communication system with the Special Needs Unit as a way to help them settle in well.

The induction was held as a way to introduce all OVC programme students to the support system available to them and also to familiarise new students with the University. Speakers from various organisation gave motivating talks to students on working hard and staying at the top of their studies.

“You are the diamonds of Botswana, you have to believe that and work hard to reinforce it,” said Delik Goitseone Sehunwe, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services.

Ms Sehunwe also thanked Limkokwing University for reaching out to all corners of Botswana to make sure everyone is given an opportunity to higher education. She said this was especially important for the OVC program youth, who sometimes are stuck in rural areas without access to funds and accommodation to come to urban areas for tertiary education applications. This was in reference to the countrywide outreach programme the University ran earlier this year. Through the outreach programme, Limkokwing University staff travelled to remote areas of Botswana to help students apply for tertiary education and government sponsorship.

Students also expressed gratitude toward the University for the help and support the University has given them thus far.  Many said they came from rural and remote areas, where they had no access to the internet, television or newspapers, which meant they had no access to news about college or sponsorship applications. They said had the University not come to their villages, they would not have had the opportunity to further their studies.

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