15 Apr 2014

The youth who were engaged by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Francistown as temporary registration officers for the October and February national and supplementary voter registrations have donated two washing machines to the Lephoi Centre for the Blind.

Speaking at the hand over of the machines on April 12,  a  youth representative, Ms Masego Mokgatle said the idea to donate to the less fortunate members of the community was conceived last year.

Ms Mokgatle said the donation, which could have been done last year, was delayed due to other commitments. She said through the P50 contribution from the officers, P4 000 was raised and used to purchase the two washing machines.

Ms Mokgatle commended IEC for supporting the initiative. Secretary of the IEC, Mr Gabriel Seeletso commended the officers for their generosity towards Lephoi Centre.

Mr Seeletso said it was good that the officers donated to the centre as it catered for a number of beneficiaries instead of donating to an individual. He said the commission came up with a template that would assist the visually impaired to cast a vote on their own.

Earlier on, the IEC principal elections officer in Francistown, Ms Patricia Mmoloke said the donation did not only indicate compassion but also branded the IEC as it started with a march.

She said through the donation, the youth have demonstrated that if given opportunity they could play a positive role towards the development of the community they live in. Ms Mmoloke said the gesture has also indicated that the youth appreciate the role played by Lephoi Centre in caring for the visually impaired.

She said although there were other institutions as well that deserve to be assisted; there was always a starting point. The chairperson of the Francistown People Living with Disability, Mr Joseph Nchenje commended Francistown IEC for always consulting with them on issues of national elections. Ends