13 Jun 2016

 Residents of Mathangwane in conjunction with a backing investor have earmarked the month of June as the month of giving back to the community, particularly to the needy, those with disability and orphans.

The pledge was made during a donation ceremony at Mathangwane Clinic on Thursday last week in which Mr Uday Patel of the Motovac auto parts sales firm donated two wheelchairs worth P10 000. Speaking at the event Mr Patel, who has been living in Botswana for the past 24 years, said he owed it to Batswana because they allowed him to live among them and that his business was flourishing because of their support. As a community member he was obliged to give back personally and not only through his business.

“It is for this reason that when the Village Health Committee (VHC) proposed to make June a month of giving back to the community annually, I whole heartedly welcomed the idea,” he said.

Commending the community’s partnership with the business community, the area Member of Parliament, who is also Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Fidelis Molao said it was interesting to see a community on its own looking for aid to help where there is need.

Mr Molao noted that there were so many things within the community that need to be addressed and that, with the community turning around to help one another, there will be nothing difficult.

“The government has a lot to deal with, and without your support, government on its own faces a big challenge,” he appealed.

He added that the gesture of social responsibility was a duty that every individual has to perform because it aimed to benefit the community within which one operates or lives.

Businesses, he said, made profits from the sales they make to their clients; therefore it becomes imperative to say ‘thank you’ to such clients by offering something beneficial to them.

Furthermore, he said, with VHC being fully functional, it was easy for them through the cooperation of the community to achieve on their own without relying on help from outside. “I therefore implore you to keep up this spirit of volunteerism and also encourage others to the same,” he appealed, adding that pride and satisfaction were intangible benefits and worthy reasons to volunteer.

“When we give we are solving a problem, strengthening and improving the lives of the community within which we live,” he said. Apart from the wheelchairs, VHC and individuals donated items of clothing and blankets. ENDS