29 Mar 2015

Office of the President (OP) staff, including the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, on March 27 took time off to adorn Kamogelo day care centre play ground with bright colours and tend the centre’s garden.

The activity was the 39th project undertaken by OP since the launch of the community service initiative in 2010.

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele, said community service day helped to develop a sense of volunteerism within the public service as well as to develop a life-long habit of community involvement among individuals.

He further said community service day therefore assisted in improving the social and moral responsibility of the public service while instilling desirable traits such as Botho and Ipelegeng (self-reliance).

To date Mr Makgalemele said among the various projects OP undertook included backyard gardens, construction of two bedroomed houses for the needy, renovation of Village Development Committee houses as well as refurbishment of recreational parks.

In carrying out some of these projects, Mr Makgalemele said the department also benefited from partnerships both within and outside of government. He thanked various stakeholders as well as OP staff for committing themselves to make a difference in the lives of the less privileged.

Bishop Valentine Seane explained that the centre, owned by the Roman Catholic Church, admitted about 80 disadvantaged children for preschool and reception classes for free. They also transported the children to and from their homes every day. The centre boasted of a well-crafted feeding program for the children.

Board member Mr Ezekiel Morapedi expressed gratitude to the Vice President and OP staff for dedicating their time to the centre. The Vice President handed over the backyard garden to Kamogelo centre staff and harvested their first produce. Some of the activities included planting of fruit trees and refurbishment of the playground. ENDS