11 Sep 2017

Filipino Association in Botswana has givenn heed to Presidential housing appeal call and built a three bedroomed house for Ntshweu siblings in Gakuto in Kweneng east.   

Speaking at the handover ceremony, ambassador of the Philippines Mr Joseph Angeles said the donation was in appreciation to warm reception Batswana had accorded them.

“The reason why we are here is because we are returning the love that we have been receiving from Batswana.

It is a way of saying thank you and giving back to the community.

This is a partnership of two countries and we hope that this relationship will go a long way as we are aiming at uniting Batswana and the Philippines,” he said.

He said it was ‘a grateful moment’ that they had been given the opportunity to better lives of fellow human beings by providing a shelter for the Ntshweu family.

Outgoing chairperson of the Pilipino Association in Botswana Ms Deleres Adul said they undertook to carry out a project that would make a difference in the lives of Batswana, by not donating something that would depreciate within a short period of time, but rather a projects that would appreciate.

“That is why we saw it fit to donate a house to this beautiful family and we know that it will restore dignity to their lives.  

We urge these children to take good care of the house knowing that it came from our hearts with the intention of improving their lives,” she said.

Ms Adul further urged the guardians to ensure that the house remained a property of the children , explaining they will keep a watch over them to ensure the house is not be taken away from them.

Ntshweu siblings who are orphaned and living with disability received a fully furnished three bedroomed house, food hampers and toiletry.

The project which cost over P200 000 was achievable through partneship with companies such as Sefalana, Bokomo, Pipe Works Services, Makoro Bricks, PPC Cement and others.

For her part Ms Thapelo Moalosi, a principal disability officer at the Office of the President commended the Filipino Association for heeding the call of the Presidential housing appeal and coming to the rescue of the children who desperately needed a roof over their head.

She noted that what the Filipino association had done clearly showed that there was unity between the Philippines and Batswana.

“The Ntshweu siblings’ dignity has been restored as they now have a roof over their head.

I urge them to take care of the house and let it remind them that it was a blessing from their guardian angels on earth.

This should serve as motivation to other organisations to come and join and help the less privilege,” noted Ms Moalosi.

The sibling’s guardian Ms Boitumelo Ntshweu expressed gratitude to all the organisations that took part in the donation stating that they had improved the lives of the children.

“We are very grateful for what we have been blessed with. We will honour our promise of keeping the house in good condition at all times,” she concluded. Ends