10 Aug 2017

Standard Chartered Bank, Serowe Branch manager, Mr Ikageng Robert says his branch is considering rendering some developments at some houses of destitute persons at Tidimalo Ward as part of their long term projects under their corporate social investment.

Speaking at the handover of the project where they constructed an ablution block, erected water tap and fenced homestead of Ms Kebanyaditse Khunong, Mr Robert said they considered rendering the same to other houses devoid of such developments and facing similar challenges as did the Khunong family.

The projects were funded from contributions from individual SCB Serowe branch staff members while half of the total sum was donated by the bank to chart the cause of helping the less privileged members of the communities.

The ablution block plan was done at Serowe Brigade and approved by the council, Mr Robert said.

The project was born when SCB Serowe contacted the Central District Council officials with a view of impacting positively on the lives of the people in the area they operated.

Speaking at the same event, Serowe Administrative Authority chairperson, Mr Mpho Kooreme said the gesture shown by SCB staff was a dignifying move for the family.

He said by erecting the developments, SCB staff took off the burden of providing the same from government to allow government to channel resources to other needs.

Though he commended the bank for their benevolence, Mr Kooreme was upbeat the bank could do more in assisting members of the community.

He urged beneficiaries to take good care of the projects since they were constructed with funds raised from individuals who sacrificed their hard earned cash.

He also said since there were many people in need of the same facilities, the family should consider themselves lucky.

For his part area councillor, Mr Solomon Dikgang pleaded with the bank to extend a helping hand beyond the Khunong family.

He said many of the destitute houses in his ward were overcrowded as beneficiaries took relatives in and that compromised privacy.

He said many beneficiaries of the destitute houses were without national identity card and had to plead with Serowe Sub-land board to allocate them plots on special dispensation.

In some houses, beneficiaries do not have toilets and therefore use the bush. ENDS