23 May 2016

First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) Foundation has donated about P1. 1 million  to the Lobatse -based Botswana Association of  Psychological  Rehabilitation (BAPR).

Speaking at the funds handover ceremony on Friday, FNBB Foundation Trustee Dr Lesedinyana  Odiseng said the BAPR was a shining example of the power that lay within communities to develop organisations that directly benefited those in need.

Dr Odiseng said the community which this rehabilitation served, needed to become active partners in shaping their future.

He said FNBB Foundation was committed to making a sustainable contribution to driving the nation to change the situations of all those in need and to become the ‘compassionate, just and caring nation’ that it all truly could be.

He said the well-being and security of citizens was undoubtedly a government priority and equally the FNB Foundation priority to showcase to beneficiary organisations when an opportunity to do so arises.

The donation, Dr Odiseng said is part of the foundation continuing the groundwork of creating positive change in societies. 

He said the donation also marks the establishment of a wonderful relationship between the FNB Foundation adding that the foundation was particularly drawn to BAPR because it recognised that its vision and efforts align perfectly with its focal areas.

He explained that The FNB Foundation is the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Trust Fund established in 2001, for the sole purpose of aiding beneficiaries who are in need and deserving of assistance with the bank contributing up to 1 per cent of its after tax profits to the Foundation annually.

The FNBB Foundation, he said was today one of the largest corporate donors in Botswana and a leader in Corporate Social Responsibility in the financial services sector.

He revealed that since its establishment in 2001, the Foundation had invested more than P40 million in various projects.

‘‘Over and above this, I am proud to say that FNB’s greatest strength in touching the lives of the communities within which it operates is embodied in its staff”, he said. 

FNB Foundation has channelled the desires of FNBB to lend a helping hand through a Staff Volunteer Programme.

 This programme, he said allowed staff to identify projects within which they worked and volunteer time and skills to help the project realise its objectives. Projects that have been sponsored range from educational endeavors to arts and culture, sports and recreation to social welfare. 

Lobatse town mayor Ms Malebogo Kruger applauded the foundation for the gesture of kindness and responsibility for giving to the community they served.

Very importantly, Ms Kruger said BAPR came a long way working hand in hand with the Lobatse Town Council in taking of the needy in offering counseling and rehabilitation.

In closing remarks, BAPR board member and treasurer Mr Mopati Ntsimanyana could not stop praising FNBB Foundation for the sponsorship saying it has breathed life into the association.

Mr Ntsimanyana said the association was at the point of being referred to as a dead body and facing extinction.

He was thankful that the money would resuscitate the association and give it a lifeline . ENDS