15 Jun 2017

The Presidential Charitable Trust on June 14, received donations of blankets worth over P350 000 from Korean Association, the Charity Association of Chinese in Botswana, and the Association of Sierra Leoneans in Botswana.

The blankets will be distributed to needy people identified by the Trust around the country.

Receiving the donations on behalf of the trust in Gaborone, coordinator of Economic Stimulus Programme Ms Goitsemang Morekisi appreciated the donors for sharing a passion with President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama of assisting needy members of the society.

“We do appreciate that in this current economic situation where resources are scarce and priorities are competing you appreciate the needs of our nation,” she said.

She said without help of development partners, government alone would not be able to take care of needy people.

“We appreciate that this strategic partnership that we have developed with you has led to you coming in and joining hands with us to donate to the needy members of our society,” said Ms Morekisi, encouraging other donors to assist government in providing for the needy.

She said since the trust was established in 2009 with the objective of initiating, promoting, receiving and distributing donations to needy people, the trust has funded a lot of activities with more than P3 million.

She said activities funded included provision of fencing material and farm implements to 118 beneficiaries, distribution of sport and training equipment to all constituencies and over 67 individual clubs countrywide, sponsorship of 116 scholarships to various institutions both locally and abroad, distribution of over 10 000 chairs to individuals, and over 2 200 arm-chairs to dikgosi countrywide.

Furthermore, she said the trust has distributed over 17 000 blankets to individuals, and donated 5 500 shirts to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the elderly, and over 2 000 solar lights and 5 000 bibles.

Mr Chaesoo Kim, chairperson of Korean Association in Botswana said his association was donating 500 winter blanket kits worth around P173 000.

Mr Xiaoxing Qui, vice president of the Charity Association of Chinese in Botswana, said they found it fit to donate blankets for distribution to the needy because June was a cold period in Botswana.

The association donated 600 bkankets worth around P180 000.

Mr Donald Cole president of Association of Sierra Leoneans in Botswana said they decided to contribute financially and give back to the people of Botswana.

The association donated 80 blankets. ENDS