07 Apr 2016

The President’s Charitable Fund has spent over P2 million in facilitating various activities in its philanthropy journey.

Speaking at a donation ceremony to the President’s Charitable Fund, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of State President, Mr Mogotsi Kaboeamodimo expressed gratitude for donations from different institutions on behalf of President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama. 

He noted significance of the generosity of the donations, which would in turn contribute positively to the livelihood of a citizen in need.

“Most of these donations will go a long way in assisting people living with disabilities,” he said.

Speaking on some of the services the fund had disbursed over the years, Mr Kaboeamodimo said 18 buildings with electrical fittings had been completed and 128 people had received fencing and farming equipment, adding that the fund had been donating sporting equipment to various constituencies for the youth to encourage them to engage in meaningful activities.

“The fund has also given out 280 sewing machines along with musical instruments such as guitars. 116 beneficiaries have also been helped with educational scholarships for various programmes and 8 000 chairs have been given to elders to use at kgotla meetings,” he said, adding that 16 000 armchairs and 8 000 blankets were donated to dikgosi and other elders respectively.

Mr Kaboeamodimo said the donations to the President’s Charitable Fund had allowed the fund to extend  its services to those in need.

“Such gestures ensure that dignity is extended to the rest of us who have been unfortunate in life.  

We view this dedication to positively changing lives as a true mark of value and thanks to the generosity and compassion exhibited here today, a lot of Batswana who are living with various physical disabilities will be transformed and enhanced,” he said, encouraging more donations to come forth.

British Council, JB Sports and BancABC donated items that included educational material to assist people living with disabilities, sportswear and wheelchairs.

BancABC managing director, Mr Jitto Kurian, whose organisation donated 50 wheelchairs, said the donation was aligned to the bank’s fourth pillar of health and disability and that the wheelchairs were intended to help those with mobility impairment to enjoy greater freedom and independence.

“Having identified the needs of those with such disabilities in their pursuit for accessibility and mobility, we believe our duty and responsibility is to contribute to the effort of enhancing their lives and as the members of our society, they constitute a source of untapped potential for developing products and services for employment and deserve to lead fully functional lives,” he said.

Mr Kurian further said it is the bank’s intention to not only contribute to social and economic development, but to also invest in sustainable projects and initiatives that have a positive impact on the communities within which it operates.

“Today we reiterate our commitment to supporting people living with disabilities and we will continue doing so into the foreseeable future,” he concluded.

For her part, a British Council representative indicated that the educational material they donated were of 23 inspirational women living with disabilities that have defied the odds and made a success of their lives.

“These materials will help other women in breaking down barriers as it has been said that women living with disabilities have to work twice as much as the next person just to get a foot in the door,” she said. Ends