Betty Thomas, the founder of Saint Claire Orphanage in Juba -Lou Nelson/Eye Radio - Oct. 4, 2023

The founder of Saint Claire Orphanage in Juba is appealing to the government of Central Equatoria State to allocate a piece of land for the centre.

Betty Thomas – who is a social worker – says they are renting a centre, South East of Juba making it difficult for them to cater to other needs of the orphans.

She said the centre is home to about 125 orphans aged between two months and 17 years old.

Betty said they are only relying on good Samaritans and well-wishers to support the orphans, street and abandoned children.

She said some good Samaritans have promised to help in the construction of the centre but on condition, it secures a piece of land.

Betty is now calling on the state government to provide the orphanage a land to reduce the cost of catering for more children.

“We are renting, we don’t have land up to now, we don’t own land, we tried several times, but we failed. I just need the land,” said Betty.

“If get the land, we will either just build a temporary room with iron sheet or lumber, it is better than renting,” she said.

“The government [CES] please support us just with the land, just give us and say Mama Betty that is a land for the children [orphans] I can start from there.”

“Many people want to support us, but there is no land, they told me to just get the land and we shall build for you, but we cannot get the land, if the government can help us with the land it will be good.”