09 Feb 2017

Botswana Bank Employees Union (BOBEU) has donated a play station worth P100 000 to Khurutshe Primary School in Kgatleng district.

When handing over the play station to the school management on Saturday, BOBEU chairperson, Mr Jayson Chakalisa said the union operated in a diverse community through its members across the country.

He said it was on this backdrop that in 2012/13 they decided to take an active role in corporate social responsibility by coming up with a project that will take cognisance that the public was their everyday partner.

He said their decision to determine the school that will benefit was not an easy one, adding that “on our first visit here it was so difficult that we almost gave up.

The road was so bad we nearly went back our determination forced us to go all the way.”

He said after a lengthy meeting with the school head they amicably agreed on establishing a child friendly environment school.

Mr Chakalisa said even though the project took longer than they expected it was solely due to logistics and financial constraints.

Furthermore, he pleaded with to everybody to pledge something that could make a difference in the lives and education of the students.

Giving a background about their union, he said it was formed in the early 70’s with its members coming from various commercial banks adding that currently they represent seven banks such as Stanbic, Barclays, Bank of Baroda, First National Bank, Capital Bank, Bank Gaborone and Standard Chartered bank.

For his part chief education secretary for Kgatleng district Mr Mudongo Mudongo applauded BOBEU for assisting Khurutshe Primary School.

He said Khurutshe was one of the schools that were far away from urban areas noting that they do not have some equipment and facilities like other school.

He challenged other Unions to come forward and assist the school just like BOBEU did.

Mr Mudongo also mentioned that they were planning to fence the play station to avoid vandalism during school holidays.

In her welcome remarks, the school head Ms Seikgokgoni Mphothwe said the school was faced with many challenges among them lack of accommodation for teachers and non-teaching staff adding that some of their non-teaching staff rent houses in neighbouring cattle-posts. ENDS