24 Jul 2017

Phakalane Lions Club and Molepolole based Thusang Bana Centre have screened 150 patients and donated over 50 reading glasses to beneficiaries as part of its community participation.

Speaking after the donation, Lion’s Club president, Ms Amsha Naicker said this was their second event since their formation this month and were delighted to help the centre to screen for eye problems and donating reading glasses.

She said this year they will focus on talks on drugs abuse as well as assist in issues of palliatic cancer and environmental issues, “because if we don’t care about our environment now we will loose everything we have, hence it is important to promote conserving our environment.”

The centre director, Mr Stanley Monageng has said apart from taking care of vulnerable kids, they give psych support  and counseling to elderly by assisting them access services related to eye problems. 

“We link them with relevant service providers and this time around we are collaborating with Phakalane Lions Club who are assisting with screen and giving reading glasses. 

We also collaborate with Sathya Sai Baba which offers free medical clinic,” she said.

He said the centre started a feeding programme and care for the elderly as a way to attend to the needs of the vulnerable and orphaned children whose guardians are unable to give proper assistance and care.

“We have since joined government’s effort of ‘treat all campaign’ in Kweneng East educating schools educating students, testing and doing general health screen and doing referral to relevant medical facilities,” he said.

He said they intend to extend the centre services such as Kopong, Midie, Gakutlo and Lentsweletau villages. 

He said with support from local businesses, they intend to start a horticulture project and sell produce as a way to raise funds for the centre operation costs.

Beneficiaries Ms Boitumelo Tshipo and Ms Kebafetole Kgwereme expressed delight after receiving a donation of reading glasses which they said will improve their reading which was difficult before.

“I am grateful of the donation; I will now be able to read my bible, which in the past was difficult. Was not even able to read even text messages in my phones and I nearly gave on any chance of being able to read again,” Ms Tshipo said. ENDS