05 Jul 2020

Through its community social responsibility programme, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has donated school shoes and socks worth more than P31 000 to Jamataka and Makobo Primary Schools’ needy pupils.

During the donations held at Makobo and Jamataka recently, the corporation also donated blankets to the less privileged members of Jamataka community to help during the winter season.

Francistown WUC head of business centre, Ms Keatlaretse Machete said proper clothing was a basic need enshrined in the United Nations charter and that proper shoes, especially in cold weather, gave one dignity.

She said social and welfare offices nationwide were overwhelmed by requests of those yearning to be enrolled in government programmes which assisted the needy.

The guest speaker said due to financial constraints not all the needs of the poor were met hence the corporation came in to bridge the gap and support the learners.

She noted that the corporation’s initiative covered educational, community upliftment and conservation projects.

Ms Machete also noted that they had in the past donated clothes to Mabesekwa and Patayamatebele communities. They also assisted Matopi Primary School with computers and a printer, supported Moremogolo Primary School with cooking utensils and donated toiletries to Nyangabwe Referral Hospital.

For her part, Makobo Primary School head, Ms Francinah Masole said the school was performing averagely at 50 per cent.

She said for the past three years the school had been experiencing depreciating results in Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) and was optimistic that WUC’s gesture would motivate and inspire them to work hard.

The school head revealed that lack of Internet and some faulty computers hindered pupils from being computer literate and enjoy e-learning. 

She said Makobo primary had 551 pupils with 278 boys, 273 girls and 78 needy pupils and orphans, adding that most pupils were from remote areas such as Bumbunda, a settlement 10km away from Makobo. 

She said the pupils used donkey carts as their mode of transport.

Ms Masole urged WUC to adopt Makobo Primary School and to continue assisting both the school and the community.

Jamataka Primary School head, Ms Pauline Manyanda said Jamataka had an enrolment of 369 pupils, 186 being boys while 183 were girls.

Furthermore, she added that they had 17 teaching staff and 20 non-teaching staff.

She said although faced with many challenges, the teachers were working hard to ensure that they excelled.

Ms Manyanda said shortage of classes, water, accommodation and lack of electricity was among the challenges faced by her school, adding that the school was using solar panels.

“We only have six houses for our teachers, therefore, some teachers stay at Borolong while others reside in Francistown,” she said. Ends