A social worker investigating teen pregnancies in a rural African village stops at nothing, including fighting her inner-demons, to protect children from abuse. Actionable recommendations from community activists conclude the project.
Bommaruri ('Ruri') is a young Social Worker investigating a surge in teen pregnancies in Kaelekae, a rural village in Botswana. Her investigation centers around the school where her sister, Tshire, is Headmaster. Police Officer Golang ('Tsotsi') and Kago, a teacher, team up with Ruri and her sister to unravel issues putting children at risk within the community. In her investigation, Ruri interacts closely with three very different families and sees first-hand the challenges of raising children in this day and age. Tshire and Tshego Tau, reside in different villages due to work commitments. As educators, they understand the important role caregivers in the lives of children; but they struggle with prioritizing parenting, dealing with technology, and being emotionally available parents. Boka Meno is a single mother desperately searching for marriage. Prioritizing her new relationship with a prominent businessman, she places her children at risk of neglect as well as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. MmaagweTiro is secretive about who impregnated her 13-year-old grandchild. Following negotiations with family elders, damages were paid and the matter is considered closed; demonstrating complex sociocultural challenges facing child protection systems. This docudrama concludes with parents and community champions presenting practical ways to create healthier home and community environments for children.—Jenny H Ledikwe
As a recent graduate of the Social Work program at the University of Botswana (UB), Bommaruri ('Ruri') Motloba is excited to dive into her new job with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Affairs (MLG) Headquarters in Gaborone. She is assigned to investigate a surge in teen pregnancies within the district of Kaelekae. Much of her investigation centers around the Community Junior Secondary School (CJSS) where Ruri's sister, Tshire, happens to be serving as Headmaster. As Ruri searches to unravel the underlying issues putting children at risk within the community, she interacts closely with three very different families and sees first-hand the challenges of raising children in this day and age.
The Tau family is a nuclear family in which the mother and father, Tshire and Tshego Tau, reside in different villages due to work commitments. As educators, they understand the important role that parents/caregivers play in the lives of children. Their son and daughter, Bonolo and Dintle, are studious and hardworking. We see this family dealing with the following challenges: prioritizing parenting in the face of work and social commitments, dealing with the evolving role of technology in our lives, and having an emotionally and/or physically absent parent. While Tshire and Tshego actively work to be good parents, they unknowingly place Dintle at risk of being groomed by a sugar daddy.
Boka Meno is a single mother of two children, Onalenna and Mosimane. She is desperately searching for love and marriage, partially due to sociocultural expectations. Currently, only her daughter is living with her. Her son was sent to live with his grandmother after he was kicked out of school for bullying and fighting. Boka prioritizes her new relationship with Mpho, a prominent businessman. As her relationship progresses, she becomes financially dependent and places her children at risk of neglect as well as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Ultimately, Boka must choose between protecting her children and maintaining her relationship with Mpho.
MmaagweTiro is a grandmother who cares for several of her grandchildren. To provide for the family, she runs a shebeen and tuck-shop from her yard. Her oldest grandchild, Gofaone, is pregnant and has dropped out of school. The family does not discuss who impregnated Gofa. Following negotiations with family elders, damages have been paid and the matter is closed. Through this family, the impact of poverty and neglect are demonstrated as are the challenges facing child protection systems in dealing with defilement.
To investigate the surge in teen pregnancies, Ruri is joined by a local police officer (Officer Golang aka Tsotsi) as well as a teacher (Kago) as she learns more about the factors placing children at risk of abuse. She reveals systems-related challenges, sociocultural norms, and parenting/caregiver practices that increase risk of child abuse. This will highlight instances where a neighbor or relative is aware of abuse; but turns a blind, particularly to protect a breadwinner or to avoid social stigma.
As the dramatic narrative concludes, key statistics about abuse in Botswana are presented. Documentary style discussions are held with community champions. To punctuate the seriousness of neglect and abuse, this includes a child psychologist who discusses long-term impacts. Additionally, parents, caretakers, and community leaders, present practical ways to create healthier home and community environments for children.
