25 Mar 2021

Lewis Furnishers this week donated items valued over P30 000 to Kgaphamadi Primary School special education unit.

The items include two television sets, two beds, two washing machines, two music systems, two fridges and a microwave.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Lewis Furnishers south region controller, Mr Johannes Mahlasela said it was inevitable to plough back the store’s profit to the community because the people were the pillars of their business.

Lewis Furnishers Ghanzi branch manager, Mr Metlha Moatswi stated that despite COVID-19, the store felt obliged to help the special education unit.

Ghanzi East Sub-district assistant council secretary, Mr Benson Dibebe hailed the donation, saying Lewis furnishers venerated the Bible as well as artist Lucky Dube who in his song The hand that giventh had said What type of rich man are you who doesn’t care about the poor people? The Bible says blessed is the hand that giveth,” he said.

Principal education officer, Mr Edwin Lorekang referred to the donation as a bail out for the school, “especially that during the COVID-19 crisis, it is not easy to receive a donation.”

He urged the school to utilise the donation for learners to enjoy the learning process.

Kgaphamadi school head, Mr Walter Ditlhabang said the school had normal pupils and the division that housed learners with special educational needs.

He said the special education division hosted 40 pupils with varied disabilities such as intellectual disability, down-syndrome as well as Autism.

He said staff was inadequate as there were only two qualified teachers and one teacher aid, noting that the number fell far below the prescribed ratio of one teachers to seven pupils.

He cited transport as one of the challenges in the special unit.

Senior teacher in the special unit at the school, Ms Ruth Kubuetsile said the donation came handy, particularly that the items would be used to impart social and vocational skills to learners.

“We teach them how to lay a bed and how to use household equipment,” she stated. ENDS