26 Mar 2018

Spar Boiteko Junction branch manager, Mr De Klerk Pharithi has called on other partners in business and the community in general to join hands and assist the needy.

Mr Parithi said this at the handing over ceremony, where his supermarket was donating three wheel chairs and school uniforms for 10 children at Motetswane Primary School.

“If we can all realise that we need to help others who are disadvantaged, that is when we can all start lending a helping hand,” he said.

He noted that if people did not take part in such activities, it would lead to desperation which reflect negatively towards the learners in need, as it could hinder their ability to focus in their studies.

He therefore noted that his supermarket was privileged as he had compassionate employees, who understood what it meant to be in need.

“Our motto as community project committee at Spar Boiteko Junction is to give back to the community.

Although we give back, we need to give back where help is needed the most,” he noted.

Further, he said they were interested in offering assistance and this was made easy due to his understanding personnel.

“After consultation with the management, and identification of the need, we needed to fulfil the agreement, hence our presence here today,” he said.

He noted that, as the school had learners with special needs, it was important that they had all that they needed to take their education seriously.

“Children need to know that they are recognised so that they can see the need to learn and have the ability to contribute as members of the society,” he said.

He advised parents and the children to take care of their uniform and wheel chairs, adding that they should also focus more into their studies.

For his part, Motetswane Primary School principal, Mr Ontiretse Kenaope noted that some of their students lacked morbidity, therefore required wheel chairs, while others had intellectual disorder.   

“Our school has 613 students, 36 of whom are for special education, 33 at reception while the rest belong to the main stream,” he said.

He noted that they had a relationship with Spar, as they have deemed it fit to contribute towards the 10 learners who were identified in the school.

“Our special education learners are learners with disability, but they have abilities.

It is only that they have deviated from the norm,” he noted.

Further, he said some of the learners were educable and could be integrated into the mainstream in future, as they were able to perform just as equal to those at the mainstream, adding that they had some who had even competed internationally at Special Olympics.

“Spar has identified five children from the special education, and five from the mainstream, who  range from Standard II to IV,” he noted.

He then appreciated the assistance by Spar Boiteko Junction, adding that although this was a once off assistance, they were looking forward to a long lasting assistance from them. ENDS