17 May 2022

Mater Spei college has been commended for building a two-bedroom house worth over P187 000 for the Sithole family at Patayamatebele in the Tati East constituency.

Speaking at the house handover recently, the area MP Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said the donation, which also comprised two beds, blankets and food hampers, would not only sustain the family but restore their dignity as well. Dr Letsholathebe also donated P3 000 for the family to buy furniture for the living room.

He said shelter was one of the basic needs of life and implored the beneficiaries, being five children who lost their mother in 2018 with the eldest being a Mater Spei College former learner, to take care of the house.

He thanked the college for the compassion and showing the community that they were not just a school of excellence but the voice of the voiceless by bridging the gap between the rich and the poor.

Dr Letsholathebe who is also the Minister of Basic Education and Skills Development said the donation brought a sense of belonging to the Sithole family, noting that the gesture resonated  with government’s priority of providing its citizens with decent accommodation.

“This, therefore, is a commendable spirit of compassion which is demonstrated under Pillar number two of Vision 2036 which talks about Human and Social Development. You have delivered to your fellow citizens a great moment, the kind that occurs so rarely in a lifetime,” he said.

He further commended Mater Spei College for having persevered despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Letsholathebe also acknowledged efforts by various sponsors, companies the business community who contributed  building materials, furniture and machinery.

Giving an overview of the project, the chairperson of Mater Spei college Community outreach committee, Mr Thabologo Zambe explained that various sponsors, the business community, and individuals contributed immensely in building the house.

Mr Zambe explained that the donation was not the first by the college, as the school had in the past made similar donations that included food hampers to Francistown School of the Deaf.

He said when coming up with the idea of the project, they wanted to give it to someone within the school community.  He said the guidance and counselling department identified the Sitholes as the beneficiary since one of the children was a former pupil of the school who together with her siblings were now under care of their grandmother following the demise of their mother in 2018.

As part of their contribution, Mr Zambe said each of 1 900 pupils  contributed a brick while teachers including support staff donated a bag of cement each. He said one committee member assisted with the water connection.

On behalf of the Sithole family the beneficiaries’ grandmother, Ms Mosetsana Sithole, promised that the house would be looked after.

She said it was an honour for the Sithole family to have been chosen amongst other equally deserving Batswana who were facing the same challenge of lack of shelter.

Mater Spei College School Head, Mr Babuluki Bajiti commended all the sponsors who made the project a success and called upon others to lead by example. ends