16 May 2022

Humana People to People, a social development organisation continues to make headway in its efforts to empower communities.

The organisation recently  graduated 67 participants who benefited from its skills development programme in Selebi Phikwe recently. The graduates were trained in sewing, agriculture, business management and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Formed in 2001, Humana People to People introduced the skills development programme to empower communities with knowledge and skills to foster their own development in their households, communities and the nation.

Officiating at the graduation ceremony, Humana People to People’s deputy country director, Ms Galenkgope Kebonang explained that they had engaged the Selebi Phikwe people to assist them to find solutions to their problems.

Ms Kebonang said at the time the organisation was formed, there were dehumanisation ills such as HIV/AIDS hence its establishment to mobilise the community to fight the pandemic through testing and encouraging them to access other services that were offered.

She said the programme became a success as they managed to reach out to the targeted 900 000 people to unleash their skills and knowledge about the disease.

Ms Kebonang further said their desire was to see communities implementing development projects so as to acquire skills and knowledge.

“Our organisation has included economic development activities in its programmes to help alleviate poverty, which has been identified as one of the challenges that deter communities to reach their full potential. We give skills and knowledge to young people so that they change their lives and that of their respective communities,” she said.

Consequently, Ms Kebonang thanked government and other stakeholders for their support throughout the 21 years of the organisation’s existence.

Guest speaker, Premiere Nickel Resources Botswana (PNRB) chief executive officer, Mr Montwedi Mphathi said the company had partnered with Humana People to People in order to make a difference in people’s lives.

“We share the same values around developing people,” Mr Mphathi said.

He said the company would continue engaging with other stakeholders, with a view to develop a resilient and independent community.

“We are not going to be owning houses and other assets, we believe that there would be a good rental market for people to develop houses and rent them out to employees of PNRB. We want the wealth to be in the hands of people rather than an organisation which when it disappears leaves people in poverty,” he said.

He commended Humana People to People for having graduated 1 536 thus far, exceeding a target of 1 160, adding “out of the 1 536 graduates, 266 have set up successful businesses and we commended them for the impressive record.”

Mr Mphathi also congratulated the graduates and urged them to use the skills they acquired to change their lives and help strengthen the economy of Selebi Phikwe.

One of the graduates, Ms Semakaleng Manabalala urged others to work hard and to always strive for the best.

“Life outside school is hard and requires hard work, commitment and self-motivation for one to grow their business. So I will encourage everyone of us to use skills acquired to open business and create employment for others because jobs are scarce,” she said. ENDS