- improvements aimed at making it more like a home to GBV survivors
Orange Botswana has extended a helping hand to Women Against Rape (WAR) in Maun through a refurbishment and donation exercise carried out as part of its 2025 corporate social responsibility activities during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The company has adopted the WAR Shelter as one of its key beneficiaries and continues to support efforts to protect survivors of abuse.
Orange Botswana staff members spent the day renovating various parts of the shelter, repainting, repairing damaged areas and reviving the vegetable garden. They also planted new trees within the yard to improve the surroundings and create a clean, safe and dignified environment for women and children who seek refuge at the centre.
Speaking during the ceremony, Orange Botswana People and Social Impact Director Modiri Nlanda cautioned that the fight against GBV requires strong partnerships and cannot be handled by organisations working alone. She explained that the Orange Foundation began supporting GBV initiatives in 2023 through the creation of a dedicated Orange Money account, where donations are collected and later used to assist survivors financially.
Orange wants its assistance to go beyond monetary contributions to offering practical support; hence they chose to refurbish the WAR shelter and address some of the living conditions that directly affect the wellbeing of GBV survivors staying there, Nlanda noted.
Nlanda added that their involvement will not be a once-off gesture, adding that Orange intends to continue working hand-in-hand with WAR to ensure a long-term and meaningful impact. “Together we can create change, together we can build homes and communities,” she said.
The initiative also received support from the Department of Forestry and Range Resources, which donated trees to the shelter. District Forest and Range Resources Officer Namasiku Mufwanzala said their department not only provides trees but also teaches communities how to plant and care for them properly. She said they have committed to start training GBV survivors at the shelter on planting techniques so they can acquire a useful skill that may benefit them in future.
Meanwhile, WAR Executive Director Peggy Ramaphane expressed deep appreciation to Orange Botswana and all partners who contributed to the refurbishment. She said such acts of kindness bring hope to survivors and strengthen the organisation’s work.
Ramaphane also highlighted a growing concern that there is still no shelter in Maun for male and boy survivors of GBV. She said some cases involve men and boys who are abused but have nowhere safe to go due to the lack of a suitable facility. She appealed for support to help establish an additional shelter that accommodates all victims regardless of gender.
