15 May 2016

With a little over P2 million raised by Ghanzi Horse Endurance Relay (GHER) for the Lady Khama Charitable Trust, President Lt Gen. Dr Sir Seretse Khama Ian Khama has applauded the people behind the project for their continued work in uplifting and putting some dignity in  Batswana’s lives.

Speaking during  an appreciation luncheon organised by Lady Khama Charitable Trust (LKCT) for the Ghanzi Horse Endurance relay team and the sponsors that came on board, President Khama , who is also the patron of LKCT said through this partnership they had been fortunate to support organisations that helped people with different issues.

“We share in the vision of dignity for all Batswana and we hope that for years to come we will continue to receive such support,” he said.

He indicated that the will and drive to help fellow Batswana continued to flow throughout everyone who was involved with the trust.

“My mother must be looking down on us with the work we have done so far and she is proud wherever she is,” said President Khama.

He further said they were realistic that the trust could not help everyone who was in need of their assistance.

“I want to take this opportunity to also thank other trusts and charitable organisations that are involved in the same line of work we do and appreciate the little that they do,” he said.

President Khama further said LKCT was committed to the development of early childhood programmes in Botswana.

“The importance of early childhood development programmes is well documented in Botswana and there remains an acute shortage of early learning centres. Some of the funds raised will be used to construct a day care centre in Tlokweng,” he said.

He indicated that the current facilities at the identified Tlokweng day care centre already catered for 50 orphans and under-privileged children and with the construction of new facilities, the place would now accommodate 120 children.

President Khama further said after construction was done, some of the office spaces there would be rented out as office space as a way of creating revenue for the day care centre.

He further said donors would be kept abreast of every development and how the money was used with LKCT set to introduce a quarterly publication.

For his part, chairperson of LKCT Mr Dale ter Haar said GHER is now its seventh year and had raised over P6 million for the trust and these funds had been redistributed to local charities who support vulnerable women and children nationwide.

“A sizeable chunk of our funds for 2016 would be focused on early childhood and disability projects,” he said.

He indicated that through strategic partnerships, their aim was to build a number of these centres nationwide.

Speaking on disability projects, Mr ter Haar said through a partnership with Shona Quip, LKTC had committed to purchasing 15 specialised and customised wheel chairs for disadvantaged children annually.

“We are happy to announce the first batch of four wheel chairs have been delivered and fitted to the allocated children and a further six are on their way,” he said. LKTC was registered and launched in 2002 by President Khama in honour of his late mother Lady Ruth Khama with the objective of continuing her charitable works which she devoted so much of her life to.

The Trust continues Lady Khama’s legacy by raising funds and making annual donations to core beneficiaries that have a historic connection with Lady Khama as well as once off donations to projects that support the trust’s mandate. ENDS