01 Apr 2019

 Puma Energy Botswana has embarked on an initiative to provide exposure to children who would otherwise not have chance to fly.

Speaking at the flying excursion dubbed: Sky is the limit recently, the country’s human resource coordinator, Ms Pearl Nnyenyiwa, said the initiative was part of Puma Energy endeavours to connect with communities.

She said through the programme, the company wanted to expose children in non-urban areas to the world of aviation in order to inspire and motivate them to pursue dreams in the aviation sector.

Ms Nnyenyiwa said Puma Energy spear-headed the initiative since they believe it would enable children from and around Kasane to learn and develop an understanding of the aviation industry.

“We want to see a good number of professionals and experts venturing into the aviation space and we hope today’s event will broaden children’s understanding of aviation as a whole,” she said.

She said Puma Energy, as the sole supplier of aviation fuel in Botswana, wanted to entice the youth into the aviation industry and see themselves as a partner to the government in educating and creating awareness for the children in the sector.

She explained that primary schools in and around Kasane were approached to write essays on My dream is to fly and winners were rewarded with a 30-minute scenic flight.

She thanked partners such as Mack Air, Wilderness Air Safaris, AT&T Monnakgotla, Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) and the Ministry of Basic Education for making the day a success.In an interview, Penauwue Kandu of Kazungula primary school said it was the first time for her to board an aircraft and it was exciting although she was frightened when it landed. 

Michelle Kgosiyang of Kasane primary school said the aerial view of Kasane was interesting, adding that contrary to what she heard about flying for the first time, she did not get nauseous.

Game Abel of Kazungula primary school said the excursion was exciting though on landing he became dizzy. Ogone Baitshenyetsi of Plateau primary said flying for the first time reignited his desire to become a pilot.

Sepho Imataa of Lesoma primary school said the exercise was a dream come true as he long aspired to fly. ENDS