07 Apr 2015

Presidential Housing Appeal board member, Mr Paul Paledi, says the concept of the presidential housing appeal encourages the spirit of sharing among Batswana.

Speaking at the handing over of a three-bedroomed house at Boseja Central ward in Mochudi recently, Mr Paledi said since 2010 when the concept was conceived, many houses given to the needy were mostly from companies “but today it’s an individual giving to another from the same village.”

He said he was inspired by the fact that as a Mokgatla, he was handing over a house in Mochudi from ones tribesman to another.

Mr Paledi said charity began at home and he was a witness of the good gesture which meant many people responded positively to the plea of President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama of housing the needy people.

“This concept conceived by President Khama teaches us to share and reminds us of how the University of Botswana was built. People contributed towards the construction of the university,” said Mr Paledi.

He implored Batswana to continue with the spirit of sharing and giving to the needy people and also emulate those who have already donated. Mr Paledi said since 2010 when the first house was built, they would have donated 500 houses end of this year, which means 100 houses are built each year.

He thanked Batswana, individuals and private companies for their continued support towards building a better Botswana more so that it teaches people neighbourliness and restores dignity.

The chairperson of Tapologo Association, Mr Molemane Maje, which started operating in 2005 but registered in 2009, said they identified a needy person whom her situation was bad as she had no shelter together with his two sons.

He said it was then that they asked Mr Rapula Moetlo, who is the donor, to assist them with building some shelter for the family to which he gladly agreed.

Mr Maje said initially they wanted to build a two bedroomed house but, Mr Moetlo decided otherwise hence the three bedroomed house.

Further, he said the donor has agreed to support the boys with school uniforms which he has already done.

Mr Maje said Mr Moetlo built the three bedroomed house, connected electricity and water and also fenced the yard.

He said as an association they are happy that their vision is being achieved through the help of donors like Mr Moetlo and many others who have supported them since they started their work.

The donor, Mr Rapula Moetlo said he was called by Mr Maje to assist an identified individual and when he came he found that the situation had to be addressed without delay.

He said he came with his wife and they began the work so that the family could have a dignified life. Mr Moetlo said he was touched by the difficulty which the family was going through of having no shelter.

Mr Moetlo commended President Khama for doing a sterling job of caring and providing to the poor and needy, adding that he would continue to support the initiative by building more houses for the needy.

The beneficiary, Ms Esther Kotsedi said she would forever be thankful for the house because she has suffered and God has answered her prayers through the hands of Mr Moetlo and Tapologo Association.

She said life was very difficult for her and the children, but today, everything has changed because the house has been electrified and water provided.

Ms Kotsedi vowed to keep her well fenced yard clean. ENDS