10 Oct 2016

Patron of Lady Khama Charitable Trust, President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama handed cheques amounting to P400 000 to beneficiaries on Friday (October 7) evening.

The donation, which was handed during the Lady Khama golf cup fund raising dinner in Gaborone, was accumulated from charitable events this year.

President Khama thanked those who supported the trust to enable it to assist the needy and less privileged.

“Thank you sponsors you are the reason why beneficiaries smile,” he said.

President Khama handed P100 000 cheques to Bana Ba Metsi, SOS and Fly mission while Childline Botswana  received P50 000 and Little Friends Day Care Centre in Serowe was assisted with P25 000.

The trust chairman, Mr Dale ter Haar, said the support they  received from sponsors transformed lives of the needy and the vulnerable children in the communities.  

He said the trust had managed to raise about P6 million of which 90 per cent went to beneficiaries including those which were not core beneficiaries.

“This year has been remarkable, we continue the legacy of Lady Ruth Khama through charity work, we were able to raise between five and P6 million which will support over 40 charities,” Mr ter Harr announced.

Furthermore he noted that the trust’s financial flow had improved as they held various fundraising activities such as Run 21, Ghanzi Horse Relay, The Family Fun Day and the President’s Cup, Lucara fund raising where they were able to raise P2.6 million which would be expended on environment and wildlife conservation efforts.

Mr ter Haar said the latest movie on Sir Seretse Khama and Lady Ruth Khama was doing well locally and internationally and it had received high ratings.

However, they had not been able to evaluate its financial proceeds that he said would also go towards charity work.

During the event there was an auction sale of various items aimed at raising funds towards charity and highlight of the moment was a highest bid of a portrait of Sir Seretse Khama, which was bought at P30 000.

Other big bids were two nights away for two people at Chobe Game Lodge including an Air Botswana Return Ticket all valued at P40 000 and the highest bidder got it for P28 000.

Lady Khama Charitable Trust was established in 2002 by President Khama to honor his mother Lady Ruth Khama who during her life time was actively involved in charity work with Botswana Red Cross, Botswana Council of Women, and SOS.
 

Therefore, the trust sought to continue the community development work that Lady Khama did and its focus was on helping the vulnerable women and children. ENDS