09 Nov 2020

Ms Kerry Tiro and family have been commended for the donation of  food hampers worth P65 000 to Xaxaba community. 

Speaking during the handing over of the hampers, Bojanala ward Councillor, Mr Luke Motlaleselelo hailed the Tiro family for demonstrating compassion to the community which he described as the hardest hit by poverty. 

Mr Motlaleselelo expressed worry over lack of basic services in settlements in the delta,  saying residents had to travel longs distances in areas infested with dangerous wild animals to access services in Maun.

He hoped that the family would now represent the voice of the villagers through the initiative dubbed: Kerry Tiro Show. 

Additionally, he said the area lacked developments such as a health facility and a school.

He also acknowledged efforts by Belmond Safari Company which operated the Eagle Lodge for always supporting to the community.

He said the lodge provided potable water through bowsing from their camp site as well as boat transportation for Xaxaba community to cross the river to Maun to access services.

Furthermore, he said the camp offered medical assistance to residents especially those in deteriorating conditions such as attacks by wildlife animals. Mr Motlaleselo also said that Belmond donated food hampers to the villagers during Christmas Holidays.

Ms Tiro and family from Gaborone rescued the community by donating food hampers, clothing, masks, soccer balls and toys among others.

The donation followed her visit two months back as a tourist to one of the luxury safaris, Eagle Island Lodge situated within the Okavango Delta adjacent to Xaxaba settlement.

For her part, Ms Tiro emphasised the need to extend a helping hand to those in needy, adding that she was touched by some villagers she interacted with during her visit hence the donation.

Ms Tiro said that she was shocked by lack of health facility at the settlement and that residents only received medical assistance once in a month through a mobile clinic. However, Ms Tiro said there was need for a clinic in the village. Although she could not promise construct a health facility, she said she was working on something which was in the pipeline.

Ms Tiro pleaded with Batswana to revive the spirit of giving saying that would help others re-build their lives. The little, they donate she said could inspire, ignite and instill love amongst the communities.

North West District Council Deputy Council Chairperson, Mr Lekonne Masoko commended the Tiro Family for their noble gesture.

“Giving to the less privilege members of the society is a way of empowering those who did not have much and ultimately eradicating poverty amongst our people,” he said. Ends