19 Sep 2022

The UCCSA Lobatse branch held a 10 kilometres heritage walk on Saturday with the aim of raising funds for the completion of its mission house.

The event was also part of the UCCSA Botswana synod annual heritage walks through which the church raises funds for its projects around the country such as the running of schools and centres.

A church elder, Mr Serai Tshamekang explained that the synod of Botswana came up with the fundraising initiative in an effort to address the financial responsibilities of the church.

Mr Tshamekang said the financial responsibilities included the running of two schools under the ambit of the church, naming them as Moeding College and Maun Senior Secondary School.  

“The two schools are run by the UCCSA in partnership with government,” he said.

He also noted that the church operated two centres for vulnerable and needy children, the Lephoi Centre in Francistown and Kgodisong Centre in Kanye.

“Part of the proceeds from the heritage walks go towards these church projects while the remaining portion is spent on the projects of our branch in Lobatse,” he said.

Mr Tshamekang also pointed out that the UCCSA Lobatse branch had chosen to use its proceeds to cover the construction of a mission house.

He said the church had raised enough material to finish the construction of the wall from last year’s heritage walk.

He said additional building materials such as door frames, window frames and roofing materials were now required for completion of the house.

Ms Sonkie Mmelesi, secretary of the UCCSA Lobatse branch, said the church was using a lot of money to rent accommodation for its pastors.

Ms Mmelesi said that was the reason they had now decided to build a mission house.

“The money we have used to pay rentals over the years would have been enough to cover the building our own mission house,” she said.

Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) acting executive compliance manager, Ms Olga Lepotlako, who was the chief walker on behalf of BMC chief executive officer, hailed the UCCSA for playing an active role in caring for vulnerable children through its centres.

She also hailed the church for contributing to education and the molding of young people through its mission schools.

She said in recognition of the important role played by the church in society, BMC management had pledged to contribute some assistance to the church, adding that the organisation’s employees had contributed P1 200 for the church. ENDS