17 May 2020

Molepolole-based educational Non-Government Organisation (NGO), Step Up International on May 16 donated food hampers worth over P70 000 to 150 children enrolled in their programme, who are also affected by coronavirus pandemic.

In an interview, the centre’s director, Mr Mompati Mbakhwa said they received financial support from Dumela Foundation based in California, USA to purchase food for children who are currently locked up in their homes due to COVID-19.

He said Dumela Foundation was responding to government’s call for communities to assist those affected by the extreme social distancing measure to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Dumela Foundation was started by US Corps based in South Africa, hence the Setswana name.

Step Up’s ambitions are to enhance education and social emotional learning programmes to students, and has partnered with Magokotswane Primary School and Kwena Sereto Junior School in Molepolole.

It has 150 students from Standard 5 to Form 3 and Mr Mbakhwa said they started enrolment from Standard 5 and continue with children to offer a long term support.

The Form 3s are the students who started the programme as Standard 5s when the centre was incepted.

Students visit the centre after school and during breaks at different time intervals.

They are also offered computer awareness training using computers and tablets donated by Tenacare Foundation.

Students are trained in health and wellness and they have a backyard garden, which was established as part of their nutrition lessons and the produce has been sold, in the midst offering them financial literacy.

Isaac Makwala, who was invited to grace the event, promised a long-term relationship with Step Up.

He said he planned to address students but this was affected by the lockdown.

Mr Mbakhwa meanwhile said they were ready to assist students as they might be affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after a long period of lockdown.

Further, they intend to offer them extra lessons to ensure they catch up with their studies.

He thanked the donors and said it was important for the corporate sector and government to be on board, as they would also be faced with challenges such as salaries, rentals and bills.

The event was graced by the area Kgosi, Kgosi Sabata Rantlhoi and councillor Ms Keamogetse Keikannye who thanked Step Up for their kind gesture. ENDS