27 Sep 2020

A team of six professional guides has donated P125 000 towards Bana Ba Letsatsi organisation in an effort to relief them from the effects of COVID-19.

Bana Ba Letsatsi provides rehabilitation services to vulnerable children, and it was reported that its future was bleak as it depended on the tourism industry which accounts for 80 per cent of its annual operational funds.

As such, Mr James Stenner, Mr Roger Dugmore, Mr David Dugmore, Ms Maika Kretschmer, Mr Kyle Human and Ms Corlize Viljoen embarked on a 13-day canoeing expedition from Maun to Rakops to raise funds for the organisation.

Speaking during a ceremony to welcome the safari team, BBL executive coordinator, Ms Taboka Rotsi hailed the guides for rescuing them during trying times.

She said BBL was a haven for vulnerable children in Maun and that it was striving to rehabilitate them back into schools and society.

She added that currently the organisation was financially crippled.

She said the organisation was forced to retrench some of its staff because it could not afford to pay their salaries.

In addition, she said they had cut down some of their programmes.

Currently, she said the organisation had an enrolment of 186 children and were offered a place of safety for education and counselling as well as providing them with food, medical attention, skills training and meeting any other needs.

Some of the children, she said, had never been to school while others suffered physical and sexual abuse, abused drugs and alcohol, worked while  under age while some lacked parental care.

While every child and situation was different, Ms Rotsi appreciated that the trained staff continuously provided unlimited support, encouragement and resources in order to achieve their goal of seeing children reach their full potential and realise their dreams.

Ms Rotsi said the safari team responded positively to their plea as the centre was struggling to operate and thanked them for sacrificing their time and energy to puddle in support for the innocent souls.

The donation, she said, would make a huge difference in the lives of the children.

One of the safari team, Mr James Stenner of Barclay Stenner Safaris said they had been planning the expedition considering the consequences brought by the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable population.

He said they were also touched by the situation at the centre more so that it was supporting vulnerable children who were the future hence they decided to embark on the canoeing excursion to raise funds in their support.

He appreciated that the centre relied on assistance from the tourism industry to carry their day to day activities.

Mr Stenner said although the journey was not smooth, they defied the odds and puddled 335km down the Boteti River and managed to complete the trip in 13 days.

He thanked their donors and supporters for assisting them to achieve their goal.

Another team member, Mr David Dugmore noted that they encountered some wildlife along the journey such as hippos and crocodiles, but that they managed to maneuver more so that they understood the behaviour of animals.

While paddling,  he said they were also interacting with communities residing along the river to promote conservation issues.

“This was indeed a rewarding trip and I wish other organisations can come on board and support those in need during these tough times,” he added.

Mr Dugmore said it was important that BBL continued to make an impactful difference in children’s lives. ENDS