27 Sep 2022

Furnmart has been commended for partnering with Gothibamang Primary School after they donated goods worth P20 000 to children living with disabilities.

Speaking during the handover  recently in Letlhakeng, the Member of Parliament for Letlhakeng/Lephephe constituency Mr Liakat Kablay said public private partnership as espoused by government remained a critical component in the society.

He said through partnerships, companies donated to those in need can be reached through different donations. 

Mr Kablay said even though most  businesses were affected by  COVID-19 pandemic Furnmart did not turn a blind eye to the needs of the children living with disabilities at Gothibamang primary schoool.

“This is commendable indeed as I understand that you are recovering from the COVID-19 effects and you did shy away from carrying out your community social responsibility”. 

The MP encouraged children not to be discouraged by anything as disability was not an inability, saying he was a  living example of a person living  with disability. and an MP for Letlhakeng/

 “Having disability does not deter anyone from taking leadership roles in the society and also does not stop one from being functional and participate in different activities in the community,” he said.

Mr Kablay urged parents  not to “keep their children living with disabilities at the   backyard’ as government ensured that all had access to education.

He implored Gothibamang primary pupils to stop mocking others because of their disabilities but to treat them as fellow human beings. Speaking on behalf of Furnmart, Regional Operations Manager Mr Nthusang Mosinyi said they were happy to give to people with disabilities in Letlhakeng knowing that the donations would go a long way in reaching to their needs.

He said when they first received the letter from the school requesting for the donation, they prayed that the executive management would consider the needs of the school and not turn them down. 

Mr Mosinyi said he was happy when they were given a go ahead and “today I am here to donate goods worth P20 140 which includes a double bed, a Hisense fridge, kettle, stove, 32inch tv, microwave, mirror, iron and mattress.” He said they have already donated at Metsibotlhoko and Salajwe in Letlhakeng sub district and many other villages across the country.

Mr Mosinyi added that they have 59 shopping outlets across Botswana and would like Batswana to continue supporting them by purchasing goods at the shops thereby enabling them to continue with their community and social responsibility.

In welcoming remarks, the school head Ms Matshidiso Tese expressed gratitude toward the donation saying they would forever be thankful for the goods donated to them. She said her school has 792 students with 23 classrooms and operate on a double shift due to shortage of classrooms.

Ms Tese added that they appreciated the special education block built in their school together with the provision of a qualified teacher Ms Julia Kobua to take care of the special needs of children. She said Ms Kobua has been at the forefront of making sure the request for the goods was sent to Furnmart as she saw the needs of the special class at school.

When giving words of encouragement on behalf of the Director of Kweneng Regional Education, the Principal Education Officer Mr David Baleseng said he appreciated the donor for extending a helping hand towards a special class of children. 

He added that government through the Ministry of Education was committed to making sure that all children had equity and access to education notwithstanding their background or challenges.

 Mr Baleseng further said the goods wouldl go a long way in addressing shortage that was experienced by the school.  ENDS