Nurture.

Elderly guests are honored with love, gifts, and a meal

Women's Ministries hosts luncheon for 250 elderly guests and the representative of the President of Botswana commends their compassion

Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID)

[Botswana] The elderly population is often forgotten or ignored, but not so in Botswana where Women’s Ministries hosted a special luncheon for 250 elderly guests. A representative of the President of Botswana recognized Women’s Ministries at the luncheon for the love and compassion they show to the elderly.

A team of young people bearing gifts, accompanied by Women’s Ministries (WM) leaders, traveled more than 1,200 kilometers for 16 hours to visit a group of 250 elderly people in northern Botswana and to host a special luncheon. Gifts included blankets, toiletries, chocolates, gift packs, clothing, and food. The elderly guests were overjoyed by the lunch and expressed their gratefulness for being remembered with the thoughtful love gifts.

Speaking at the luncheon, the Honorable Minister Kwerepe, assistant minister in the office of the President of Botswana, said that being a compassionate nation is the cornerstone of the country and to see the faith-based group (Seventh-day Adventists) putting this into practice is heart-warming for the government of Botswana. He also gave a donation toward the cost of the meal.

Dr. Kenatope, Botswana Union Conference President, noted the work of Women’s Ministries across the country and expressed his appreciation for their commitment to serve the disadvantaged of Botswana.

Susan Williams, WM director, Botswana Union Conference, remarked that the WM motto in Botswana is “To Love … To Care … To Serve.” She said that the volunteers accompanying her husband and herself on this long journey of love are a true reflection of the WM motto. She also recognized the two conference directors in the union, Bakang Moathodi and Seselotswang Nkape, and all the women who helped with the cooking, serving, and in many other ways.

Contributed by Susan Williams, WM director, Botswana Union Conference

Published in Mosaic, 2017 Q2