30 May 2019

Thapelong Empowerment Trust, a non-governmental organisation is on a mission to reach out to youth, women and people living with disability.

Established in December 2016 as World Cuisine Skills Center, Thapelong Empowerment Trust is a fully licensed and Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) accredited culinary college.

Speaking during the World Facilities Management Commemoration held at Botswana National Productivity Center recently, Thapelong trust lecturer, Ms Tshidi Ntsima said they were passionate about poverty eradication and skills development.

“We provide free food for Bokaa primary schools needy children. Every day after school they pass by for a meal then go home,” she said.

Ms Ntsima said they understood the challenges faced by marginalised groups such people living with disabilities, orphans, the needy, youth and women.

She said they had a fully equipped facility to cater for them and personnel to assist with their needs.

With the trust’s mission; To Offer outstanding training and exceptional learning experiences in a way that empowers independence and critical thinking, Ms Ntsima said they endeavour to reach out to the marginalised groups and help them be independent.

The trust’s chairperson, Ms Charity Hifcox said their vision was to be the institution of choice in skills and economic development by empowering people from all walks of life. “We make sure we practice what we speak and wish for, we offer different courses at very reasonable prices,” she said.

Courses offered include front office operators, food and beverage, events management, basic cooking skills, food preparation and bakery and confectionary and the price range is between P3 500-P4 800.

The organisation, she said offered free accommodation for those who come from far, for courses which took two weeks.

Ms Hifcox said they also offered food and accommodation service courses to staff for hotels, restaurants and lodges.

She said the trust engaged in charity work by visiting the elderly who stayed alone, to clean their homesteads and do their laundry. ENDs