04 Sep 2023

Although it is primarily intended to raise funds and accrue donations to help a girl-child at school, Bobirwa District Council chairman’s walk has some ripple effects.

While the 10km walk raises funds and donations, in the form of sanitary pads to distribute to school-going girls, some use the walk to ignite their health and fitness journeys amongst other things.

Speaking post the walk, nominated Councillor Moreri Joseph, who is part of the organising committee, said the chairman’s walk nudged BDC social soccer team an opportunity to play a significant role in the lives of a girl-child.

By participating in the initiative, the team also walks against soaring defilement and rape cases in the district.

Statistics from social and community development office shows that from January to date the region registered 50 defilement and 18 child rape cases.

Cumulative defilement cases awaiting trial from 2022 stand at 254 while 99 are for rape.

“We should play a meaningful role in protecting the girl child especially,” said Mr Joseph who revealed that their soccer team had donated sanitary pads to schools in Tsetsebjwe, Tobane and Gobojango among others.

Mr Joseph said that the donation of sanitary pads accorded the girl-child some dignity.

“Some of these children come from families that are struggling economically. It would therefore completely crash their self-esteem and confidence if their periods catch them unprepared, in the glee of others,” Mr Joseph added.

In the same vein, the councillor challenged government and non-governmental institutions to join hands in fighting non-communicable diseases which could be addressed through walking.

Communicable diseases such as hypertension and sugar diabetes are reportedly easy to prevent than to control and manage.

“They can get complicated and may result in loss of hope and life,” said an official from Bobonong District Health Management Team, Mr Richard Molefhe.

Mr Molefhe reminded attendants that regular exercising kept people healthy, advising that it was cheaper to exercise than taking medication for NCDs on a regular basis.

Speaking at the same event, BDC acting council secretary, Mr Gregor Lepang said that out of the visionary leadership of the chairman hatched an activity that should be used as a launchpad for one’s drive to physical fitness.

He said that while training consistently, trainers put behind issues that hung heavily on them and concentrated on an activity that helped one to calm down.

“Make it a routine and never default on it. Let it be the beginning to your healthy lifestyle,” said Mr Lepang who added that the walk was also a move to bring together people from all walks of life.

For his part, chairman Mr Kgomotso Mmereki who received 250 sanitary pads from BITC and SPEDU each, said that plans were afoot to stage a ‘bigger and better’ event in 2024.

He thanked donors and partners for their benevolence and challenged all to inject positive changes into the lives of children.

With proceeds from ‘the walk that impacts the life of our girl-child’ the chairman will donate the sanitary pads to Mmadinare and Matshekge senior schools. ENDS