01 Mar 2016

Twelve employees of the Orapa Completely Automated Recovery Plant (CARP) Shift ‘C’ through their community initiative have donated food hampers, school shoes, school uniform and blankets to two needy families at Mmadikola.

Speaking at the donation ceremony which was held at Mmadikola main kgotla.

Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) plant Manager, Mr Nelson Nareetsile said in April 2015 the Orapa CARP Shift ‘C’ agreed on a team building initiative aimed at promoting team work amongst the shift members, which started with braai sessions at the end of every afternoon shift.

He added that later on the team agreed to contribute P100 monthly effective May 2015 and then engaged the Boteti Sub- district Social Welfare Office to help identify the needy to donate to.

Mr Nareetsile highlighted that the initiative came as an answer to the Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation and the Debswana core value of Show We Care.

Mr Nareetsile further noted that in   December   2015   they engaged   with   the   relevant authorities to identify a needy family for them to donate to.
He said by then they had raised some P5 000 and requested for a P5000 from OLDM Management to assist them run the project.

“Noting that we can run a P10 000 project, the Boteti Sub -district Social Welfare Office identified  two families of   15 disadvantaged   people   at Mmadikola Village whom we   can donate to. They identified their needs as food, clothing and blankets,” he added.

“Every year, through the Corporate Social Investment programme, Debswana invests over P3million into sustainable community projects in and around Boteti. It is my belief that our investment coupled with the investment of our employees and our partners will go a long way in the improvement of lives.”

Furthermore, Mr Nareetsile said OLDM Management is pleased to see its employees fully participate, being visible and actively driving the process for defining, developing and implementing community projects.

He said diamonds have and continue to change this nation thus the importance of leaving behind a legacy which all can  be proud of.

For  his part, the Boteti social welfare officer Mr Victor Thake thanked Debswana Diamond Company workers for their kindness and social responsibility citing that the total number of the needy, orphans and destitutes stands at 5 000 and that the council budget is not able to cater for them all.

One of the beneficiaries Ms Gotholwamang Dikhutso expressed gratitude to the CARP Shift ‘C’ employees for noticing her needs and extending a helping hand to her and her five children. Ends