21 Feb 2017

Third president, Dr Festus Mogae has on behalf of MasterCard Foundation donated school uniform to 13 junior secondary schools in Gaborone.

Dr Mogae, who sits on the Mastercard Foundation, a Canadian based organisation board of directors Tuesday (February 14), handed over 455 uniforms to orphaned and vulnerable students.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr Mogae stated that the initiative came about after being approached by a school teacher who stated how some students go to school without uniform.

He said the foundation had been making donations in the past to assist people living in poverty by providing access to financial education inclusion among others.

He indicated that he approached Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) to partner with him to deliver the uniforms.

Dr Mogae thanked the Red Cross for identifying the needy adding that the uniforms would motivate students to perform better.

In her remarks, BRCS secretary general Ms Mabel Koketso thanked all who had partnered with them in the past to provide humanitarian work.

She noted that BRCS complimented government’s efforts on issues of health, social services and disaster management.

She also stated that they do voluntary work by training and capacitating communities in first aid education.

Ms Koketso expressed gratitude to MasterCard Foundation for partnering with them in identifying the needy and vulnerable children.

A friend of BRCS Mr Satar Dada said the donation was a message to the private sector to come together and raise awareness on issues of social responsibility.

“As a friend of the Red Cross myself and having donated to its good cause over the past years I have learnt the true essence of giving and lending a helping hand in the society,” Mr Dada said.

He said the donation came at a time when the country was experiencing an increase in the number of children in need of care and support especially at the beginning of the year when buying a uniform was a necessity. BOPA