13 Mar 2019

Safari company, Ker & Downey Botswana has expressed interest in investing in education by adopting Mathiba I Memorial Primary School in Maun for a period of five years.

The safari company provides safari experience, while preserving the delicate environment and natural beauty of Botswana as well as striving to maintain standards of excellence within the industry while fostering economic and social development of the local communities and Botswana as a whole.

Speaking during a ceremony to seal their partnership, an official from the company, Mr John Gibson said their mission was to improve economic and social development of the local communities, hence adopting Mathiba.

He said they aimed to invest in education, people and wildlife in Botswana.

He said they found it fit to give back to the community within which they operate and also empower them through wildlife and safaris resource income.

Mr Gibson said they would work with the school together with the Ministry Of Basic Education to improve the school’s results, adding that they would assist with resources where possible.

The company donated a photocopy and printing machine worth over P35 000 and P42 000 respectively as well as 290 books for eight subjects, 680 pencils, 10 chalkboards and 10 self-adhesive plastic cover rolls.

In addition, the company intends to set up a water tank in the school to provide clean and portable water for pupils as at times Maun experienced serious water shortage.

Mr Gibson also indicated that they would provide caravan classrooms for outdoor teaching to be used by pre-primary classes which would start next year.

The company also intends  to build an assembly area in April.

School head, Mr Noah Kebafitlhetse acknowledged Ker & Downey for choosing them among other schools in the district.

He said the school had been doing well although it was not enough, adding that their partnership would go a long way in improving their performance.

The partnership, he said, would also focus in the development of learners, which is the core mandate of their institution.

“Your positive response in this regard shall help in bringing us closer to our goal of producing quality, well rounded learners who can compete with their counterparts globally in the world of work,” he said.

Principal education officer, Mr Michael Masima applauded the company, noting that it heeded  the government call to support the ‘Adopt-a-School’ initiative, which forges partnership between the schools and the private sector in an effort to better the education system.

He said the government alone could not afford all schools,  hence the initiative, which calls individuals and companies to come on board and assist where possible.

Mr Masima also challenged the school authority and staff to work hard to bring good result as a way of thanking the company for availing its resources and energy to assist the school. ENDS