The First Ladies of Zambia and Tanzania have observed that the number of orphans living in Save Our Souls (SOS) villages in Africa could be reduced if the extended family systems were to be re-strengthened.
Mrs Thandiwe Banda and Mrs Salma Kikwete told journalists in Livingstone yesterday that once African families return to the old culture of being responsible enough to look after the children of their dead relatives, the number of homeless orphans would be reduced.
Mrs Banda observed that in the olden days, Zambians, and Africans at large, used to accommodate children of their close and distant relatives, a culture which is now faced with near extinction.
She noted that SOS villages were doing a good job in looking after homeless orphans, but said their burdens could be made lighter if biological relatives took responsibility of the orphaned children in their families and clans.
She, however, said the problem of orphans and street kids has been exacerbated by economic hardships which many African families were facing today.
Mrs Banda observed that in the wake of such economic problems, SOS villages could provide the temporary but very vital solutions and environment for the growth of children.
And Mrs Kikwete reiterated that the problem of orphans in Africa has been made worse by the ravaging HIV/AIDS pandemic.
She told journalists after touring Livingstone’s SOS Village that a reduction in the prevalence rate and existence of HIV and AIDS would drastically reduce the number of orphans in African countries.
Mrs Kikwete also encouraged the revival of extended family systems, which she said would be a lasting solution to accommodating the would-have-been homeless orphans in Africa.
“In my country, there are 39 million people. If each family got one orphaned child, there would be no orphans in the streets and SOS villages,” she said.
Mrs Kikwete, however, commended the SOS villages for improving the lives of orphaned children in African countries.
African First Ladies have a role under the Organisation for African First Ladies (OAFLA) to campaign against the spread of HIV in their countries in order to provide a solution to the fast-growing number of orphans.
Meanwhile, Livingstone SOS Village acting director, Clarence Mwami, appealed to well-wishers to assist the village in financial, social and material form to help improve the lives of the 118 children at the village.
The orphans, who are kept at the SOS villages are identified by the department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.
ZANIS
Good call, family is everything!
Miss Daisy? how are you? long-time
daisy bay bay.. i been waiting for the pics ka.. otherwise how is the morning my sunshine?
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Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!
Chapwa.
I like your comments on #4.Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! You have made my day.
Hi Tonga Bull, i am alright….infact i feel great…You? Huh.. walai my friend, the PR agency still hasnt dropped them …..will hola!
Terence… get online.. wanna ask you something
I’m fine Miss Daisy, busy developing South Africa
Daisy.
I will it just now.
8… what a great answer that is.. and how are you doing that?
Mrs Thandiwe Banda, will you be inviting your relatives, to live with you in state house. You cousin Bornface was asking? He is also an Orphan for 24 years now. remember your family
Iwe nambala 11 kelvin, no personal issues with the First Lady here. A 24yr old man does not qualify as an orphan anymore since he can work and feed himself, unless chabe he is lame or blind.
Otherwise, the lecture from the First ladies is welcome. I fear that this century could mark the end of the extended family for Africa.
Ba LT you should have included her picture….I miss ukuponta mwe
#13 Anso nga twachiponta ! @Shani Nine Chale ?
Number 10, currently managing the Gautrain (Sandton Portal to OR Tambo Inter’l)
wow #15 Tonga Bull niwe ulelya impiya sha mzanzi ka…..
ok bane nangu to ponta pali 1 st lady wesu, uwa ku RSA ni ndonga. uwa number 2 eefilya # 3 kaqlumba
#14 ala ichilaka chamiponta chachilamo……
Hmm, Tonga Bull. really.. thats very interesting
Yeah Miss Daisy, very interesting
what exactly do you do there.. the construction part or the business side of it.. I am working with a client (provantage) that just won the marketing contract for the gautrain and all the BTR..its dynamic and am excited to be on the account..
Yes Ba Maureen, is that a Nigerian flag I see? Muli pa holiday nangu ni business trip?
Miss Daisy, mwapoleni mukwai.
Nine chale shani? Daisy, Tonga Bull and Ka’doyo. Ok ba 1st lady bakuno ni chigayo sana.
It has been long eversince i posted a comment on LT they even moderate comments ok good one
Miss Daisy, i’m involved in the Construction Management part, such project comes once in a life-time
what is the role of the first ladies in society????
Tonga bull >> Why working for the benefit of another country leaving Zed wrangling in poverty milked by SA in minerals and tourism.. Game viewing tickets sold in SA while the game parks are in Zed…. Muntu weelede kucenjela.. Nkoya kakubota ankoohila kakubota 🙂
#27, last time i checked you are also not in Zed!!! The answer is simple, South Africa need my skills and i’m being rewarded handsomely. Tell me what serious infrastructure is being implementated in Zed apart from sh@t politiking??!!