15 Jun 2016

A youth in Kanye, Mr Chawada Rantsimanyana, is amongst the few Batswana who have heeded Kanye Library’s call to volunteer skills and time.

A business consultant and managing director of Leonard Business Consultancy, Mr Rantsimanyana has volunteered to teach the elderly basic computer skills and help pupils in composition writing.

“I am a friend of Kanye Library and offer my services twice weekly and so far I am having a good time,” he said.

His association with Kanye Library was in answer to the former’s cry to have people come forth to assist in this regard.

“This is for the betterment of fellow Batswana and the nation at large because imparting skills to others changes lives,” he said, adding that most of his basic computer studies students were between 35 and 50 years.

He encouraged everybody with interest to come on board and register with them.

Mr Rantsimanyana was hopeful the initiative would greatly improve students’ results especially English language that he said majority were having difficulties with it.

His advice to fellow youths was to volunteer skills, which he said would help them gain experience and further advance the country.

Their big breakthrough, he said, could be at the  places they were volunteering the skills and time. 

Ms Gadifele Malatelele, 36, of Gammangwato ward in Kanye, benefitted from the three months programme.

She said the programme equipped her with basic computer skills.

“I commend Kanye Library for this initiative because not only is it free, it has really opened my eyes to ICT,” she said, urging others to follow suite and take advantage of the programme.

Another beneficiary, Ms Botho Kebabonye, 41, said the programme had opened to her a whole new world that otherwise seemed out of reach.

She said the initiative had enabled her to learn various functions of a computer; from storage, word processing to harnessing the gadget for banking purposes.

“I now have an email address and can now use software’s such as excel with ease,” she rsaid.

Funds permitting, Ms Kebabonye had an ambition to further her computing skills and knowledge even beyond the three months basic computer course. Ms Gobopaone Koboyatshwene, another beneficiary, noted that her inner drive not to be left behind in the computer age was the primary reason she had undertaken the course.

She was thrilled that she was able to assist her children with computer based assignments through the knowledge she acquired. 

She adviced Batswana to take advantage of the programme to improve their computer skills and ultimately their lives.

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, district coordinator, Mr Phinias Kgare declared that the initiative was well received as evidenced by the large number of people who were willing to volunteer and be part of the programme.

He said friends of the library volunteers initiative, was a district initiative seeking to take the library closer to the people and giving willing patriotic Batswana the opportunity to share their expertise and knowledge with the rest of the community.

It is this partnership, Mr Kgare believes that gives willing citizens an opportunity to contribute positively to the development of their communities thus living up to the founding principle of self-reliance. He said 14 youths hadvolunteered their skills in areas among others; students revision sessions, information and technology support services, basic ICT training, data capturing, children and youth activities,  shelving books , sign language for staff and public and many others.

Further Mr Kgare noted eight adults assist in history and cultural documentation, cultural presentation and video editing.

A total of 37 youths both male and female have taken advantage of the revision sessions in preparation for both Form five and Junior Certificate finals examinations in 2015.

“Seventy six youths and 39 adults, both male and female were trained in basic ICT skills in 2015/2016,” he said.

Although a fairly new initiative, Mr Kgare is happy with the programme, adding the library is open to embrace assistance to secure library items such as books, toys and computers to meet the demands of our clientele. ENDS