A Home-Grown Philanthropy Movement in Botswana
During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Botswana, Omogolo Nkgogelang initiated a movement he called the War Room. This initiative aimed to assist the less fortunate, and it eventually evolved into a remarkable story of local philanthropy.
Nkgogelang explained that witnessing people facing hunger during lockdowns deeply affected him as a Christian. He took it upon himself to start the War Room.
“We were at war. People were dying, some lost their jobs, and others had nothing to eat at all. I was convicted by my Christian faith to act,” he shared.
The War Room, which has 700 members, not only provides relief to the needy in rural Botswana but also empowers them through life skills training. Most members connected on Facebook during the height of the pandemic.
Regular empowerment sessions are held virtually, covering topics such as spirituality, finances, social issues like alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, suicide, and gender-based violence.
So far, the War Room has donated food hampers and school shoes to villages such as Ramotswa, Mogobane, and Lentsweletau. They have also provided food to Old Naledi Township in Gaborone, known for high crime rates and poverty.
“I prefer giving in rural areas because in Gaborone, most companies and individuals give to people who are not really in need. It’s more of convenience than the reality of poverty,” Nkgogelang said, advocating for more charity work to reach those who are harder to access.
Nkgogelang was born without a silver spoon, which taught him the importance of helping those in need. “I hate to see other people in need,” he added.
Born and raised in Maun, the 44-year-old husband and father of two believes that times of need are a test of love for mankind for believers in God.
In his philanthropy mission, he has observed that many elderly people in rural areas are raising their children and grandchildren. Often, he comes across families where grandchildren are left in the care of their grandmothers while their parents live in cities.
“It’s always a touching sight where there are many children sharing a small room with the elderly. Minors even giving children and all of them living in dire poverty,” Nkgogelang said.
Illiteracy in rural Botswana stands at 34.5%, compared to 14.6% in urban areas. In some regions, people are unaware of the dangers of sexually molesting minors under 16 years old. In the Basarwa area, incidents of incest and defilement have been increasing.
Unemployment remains a major challenge in rural areas, and Nkgogelang highlighted the Ipelegeng Unemployment Relief program as a significant source of employment. This government initiative offers short-term employment for up to one month, allowing interested parties to reapply afterward.
The movement is also addressing the issue of substance abuse, which is linked to high unemployment rates. Drug abuse in Botswana is a growing problem, with various drugs being abused, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and alcohol.
Early last year, the government allocated P41 million for the establishment of the Drug Enforcement Agency to combat narcotics and reduce related criminal activities. During a media briefing this year, Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa revealed that from January to February 9, 2025, the Botswana Police Service recorded 55 cases of illicit drugs, compared to 43 cases in the same period last year.
Drug abuse is on the rise in cities and major villages such as Gaborone, Francistown, and Maun, with young people as young as 13 experimenting with drugs.
Botswana’s youth unemployment rate is 38.2%, according to the United Nations Development Programme. The country’s economy contracted by 3% last year and is expected to contract again by 0.5% in 2025, as stated by Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe during the launch of the Botswana National Human Development Report in Gaborone.
According to Nkgogelang, young people in Botswana must be taught Christian values to face modern societal challenges. He also urged Christians to show concern for those in need, emphasizing that love for one another defines who they are before God.
“Our love for one another defines who we are before God. God commands us in His word to be there for those in need,” he said.