As Divine Word missionaries, to deepen our self-understanding we recognize mainly four essential aspects as “characteristic dimensions” of our Society. These are Biblical Apostolate, Mission Animation, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) and Communication.

Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation is a call to every SVD to live this character “ad intra” as a part of doing mission and therefore, to witness this character to the world “ad extra”, to heal the wounded world, to be a voice of the voiceless, and to empower mission partners to get involved in this mission. The mission of God, therefore, is incarnated by being justice, by creating peace, and by building integrity among the creation.

Each SVD in Botswana Province, in their respected mission or parishes, or community or institution, lives out this JPIC as their habits, way of life, and their lifestyle. This character is the mission of God as Jesus himself being anointed by the Holy Spirit, “to bring good news to the afflicted…to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to blind, to let the oppressed go free, to pro- claim a year of favour from the Lord” (Lk. 4:18).

JPIC’s Issues as experienced and encountered within the province are such as, poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, land distribu- tions, unjust wages, kidnapping and murder, children exploitation and prostitution, xenophobia, road accident, pollutions (soil, air, water), corruption, violation of human rights and environment, domestic violent, human trafficking, illegal immigrants, clean wa- ter, drought, etc. These issues are responded differently by SVDs in their local communities, parishes, and institution, such as working together with the church community to organize some workshops and also to involve some NGOs and the local govern- ment in actions to tackle the JPIC’s Issues faced by the community.

Some instances are: In Botswana – Kasane Mission, an SVD (Fr. Marek) and the community had initiated a project called Bana ba Ditlou. It mainly focuses on supporting children who are under privileged, providing a safe environment and assisting in their growth process, supporting in education, life skills and values. – An SVD in Sebina mission works closely with the refugees. He as- sists them with spiritual empowerment. Moreover, with the assistance of local donors they build some houses and ablution facili- ties for them. – An SVD in Gumare mission has a program of providing bored water for the local Catholics as they are to plant trees at the church yard, to plant maize and peanuts and some vegetables for the needy parishioners.

In South Africa – Phalaborwa and Giyani missions run a Home-based care activity that supports people who are chronically ill, help- ing them through daily visits, and where it is needed offer them help. Those projects also support under-privileged children. – Mal- amulele mission runs OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) program by distributing food packages and supporting some of the under privileged children with education materials.