14 Oct 2014

Diamond Trading Company Botswana has sponsored Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind (MRCB) to the tune of more than P1.8 million. 

Handing over the donation in Mochudi on October 13, on behalf of the DTC Botswana board, the attorney general, Dr Athaliah Molokomme said the sponsorship would run for three years.

The funds, she said, would go towards specialised educational equipment in the first year, braille and computer equipment, including industrial braille, and a printer in the second year while in the final year, DTCB would construct a music block and procure music equipment.

Dr Molokomme said DTC Botswana answered a call for help from the centre and had found it fitting to support them as the funding would in turn enable improvements in relation to a modernised learning environment with quality delivery of education and overall centre enhancement.

She further said DTC Botswana’s corporate social investment policy fits in perfectly with the national vision 2016 to show compassion and care to the less fortunate.

Dr Molokomme said she was informed that the centre faced great a challenge of raising more than P11 million for a more enhanced resource centre for children with visual challenges who come from different parts of the country. 

“These children are desperately waiting for the establishment of the new fully-fledged resource centre that will enable them to access appropriate facilities to meet their specific learning needs,” said Dr Molokomme. 

She noted that the centre was critical to provide for comprehensive support towards learning of children and securing their future.

“Today marks one of DTC Botswana’s milestone in our quest to support under privileged members of our communities and those who, for one reason or another, may be unable to fully participate in our development programs,” said Dr Molokomme.

She stated that it was therefore important to ensure that children live an enjoyable life to the fullest adding that Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind makes it possible for the visually challenged in this country to maximise their functionality.

Giving an overview of MRCB, the director Ms Sophie Moalosi said the centre subscribes to the promotion of education for the visually impaired in Botswana.

She said for the past 45 years MRCB has been contributing significantly in promoting education of children with visual challenges in Botswana through provision of residential services, rehabilitation, resettlement and now preschool services.

Ms Moalosi further said the project services the whole nation of Botswana not only Kgatleng district because children come from all over the country.

The director said they are faced with a number of challenges such as being the old facility which is not conducive for the children.

“The current facility is very old as it was built around 1800. This building is not suitable and spacious enough to accommodate all children in need of special education who come from different parts of Botswana,” said MsMoalosi.

MRCB director appreciated the DTC Botswana’s sponsorship which would enable them build a fully-fledged facility for children with visual challenges.

Nevertheless, Ms Moalosi said out of the six blocks they need, DTC Botswana has chosen to build one, which means others would have to be built. She therefore appealed to Batswana and the community at large to come forth and help build the other remaining blocks.

Giving a vote of thanks, the MRCB patron who is also the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse thanked DTCB for their sponsorship, saying it would go a long way in supporting and enhancing the services provided by the resource centre.

He said it was not easy looking at the current economic situation for someone to give such an amount of money without expecting anything in return but DTC Botswana have come forth and supported the community.

Mr Seretse called on the business community to come forth and help complete this project as it has a great potential of helping children with visual challenges across the country. 

He thanked all donors who continued to support the centre among them AON Botswana, Mr Joseph Peloetletse, Joe’s Electrical, Prophet Cedric of Gospel of Grace Ministries and Dr Farai Chinhoyi. ENDS