Cynthia Thanda

It was only in 2018, during a play session that Tumisang ABBA Radijeng expressed his desire for a burger from a well-known franchise.

The then 10-year-old boy was mortified when his playmate from the neighbourhood alluded to him that he does not know the taste of that burger.

It instantly dawned on Abba that he is fortunate to be able to enjoy such delicacies. He realized that it is crucial to live a Fun Filled Childhood in order to strive for a Fun Filled Future since one can only crave what one has once tasted.

This reasoning gave birth to Abba’s Will Foundation.

The PanAfrikanist family visited the now 13-year-old boy to interview him on his inspirational and wonderful foundation. Abba believes that every child deserves a FUN FILLED childhood regardless of their family background.

He mentioned that it is through play and fun engagement that children are able to learn their biggest life lessons. This sets a child’s mind at ease which is conducive to learning.

The Abba’s Will Foundation is a non-profit making organization dedicated to motivating children to be international about their education and life goals, as well as to inspire them to adopt set values, which will guide their achievements.

It was first incepted in Gaborone, and is currently located in Selibe Phikwe, Botswana with a staff complement comprising of Batswana with 15 years’ experience in producing age-appropriate local language behavior change radio programmes, television programmes and community reinforcement and philanthropic activities.

The foundation has qualified staff, productive relations with Botswana Government departments, Ministry of Local Government and Social Services, Gaborone City Council, National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency, Ministry of Youth Sport, Empowerment and Culture Development, District local authorities, Youth Groups, District Health Management Teams.

It is sponsored by Storms Roadshows, Mobi’s Party, View Africa International and Young Achievers.

The fundamental intention of the foundation is to nurture a purpose driven; fun filled generation with a meaningful future for a better Botswana.

Through its works, the Abba’s Will Foundation aims to dismantle inferiority complexes regarding children, motivating them into self-actualization in order to sharpen their coping and survival skills, regardless of their current life situations or family background.

The foundation further aims to enable underprivileged children to have fun by facilitating and providing facilities, which brings joy to children in order for them to feel included, loved and cared for.

They have made it fruitful as one of their projects with Gaborone City Council donated essentials such as clothes, toiletries and blankets to a family of three kids.

They have donated to underprivileged children according to their needs in partnership with Makgabaneng NGO around the Maruapula and Tsholofelo areas in Gaborone.

They donated school stuff and stationery as well as fixed children’s hair before they sat for their final exams. This was done to boost the children’s confidence to feel good and perform to the best of their abilities.

Currently they have launched a campaign called ‘Buddies NOT Bullies’ for a Fun Filled Future which will mould and motivate the In-school population to be Intentional about their Education goals.

It will also help them to have set values on achievements despite the life obstacles they are faced with on a daily basis such as BULLYING which is the main objective why Abba’s Will was established.

The campaign aims at encouraging and supporting behaviour change and mitigating the impact of Bullying, minimizing its effects amongst children aged 6 to 18 years old especially the less privileged and those from broken homes that tend to have less support.

The campaign will be coordinated and hosted by In-school Children led by the founder and experts will be invited to the panel to motivate and teach the attendees to Stop Bullying and Speak Up.

The three (3) weeks campaign will be wrapped up by a Fun Filled Activity where children will compete with their Talents in a Talent Extravaganza at the GSS grounds in Gaborone.

The event will run from 9 am until 5 pm, commencing with speeches from distinguished guests (mostly organizations that deal with children’s social welfare and protection).

“The competition will follow later on under these categories: sing offs, dance, poetry. The grand finale Buddies Not Bullies Talent Extravaganza will be on the 28^th May.

“Everyone is invited and it is a free event. We look forward to expanding and going to other parts of the country,” said Abba.

Abba’s Will Foundation is available on Facebook and can be contacted through email: abbaswillfoundation@gmail.com or callthato@gmail.com

They can also be contacted on +267 2610140 or +267 71846638