16 Dec 2013

Government constantly works towards exploring how the private sector can assist in community development and empowerment as a way of reducing over dependence on government assistance,

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has said. Speaking during the hand over of a community hall to Gamodubu Child Care Trust by Botswana Insurance Holding Limited Trust (BIHL), she said her ministry welcomes and supports initiatives geared towards empowering local communities.

“I have been told that this project involved a lot of planning, collaboration and cooperation with numerous organisations and stakeholders. This sense of empowerment is truly a quality that I believe is indeed worth celebrating, and I am informed the Gamodubu Child Care Trust, by virtue of the completion of the new multipurpose hall, anticipates adding onto its existing income generating activities,” he said.

The assistant minister said this shows that the private sector is increasingly heeding the President’ s call on poverty eradication and for that, she applauded BIHL Trust and indeed all those who support Local and Rural Development Ministry in realising its objectives. “We are gathered here to bear witness to the official handing- over of a vegetable garden and a multipurpose hall which was constructed by Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited Trust at a cost of P2 milion.

This entity (trust), though only having been established in 2008, I am advised already boasts a strong reputation of excellence in working to assist communities across Botswana. Ms Tshireletso said commitment to corporate social responsibility by the trust has not only  assisted the Gamodubu Child Care Trust which takes care of 234 children, but also addresses social issues ranging from HIV, delinquent kids, young mothers, youth development and community outreach.

She said the entire community is going to benefit from activities such as poultry farming and vegetable gardening as part of efforts towards increased self-sufficiency. She said other commendable efforts by the trust include supporting development initiatives on areas such as poverty eradication, economic empowerment projects, development of human resources through education and training, social welfare services, including youth development, public health, public recreation including sports, rural development and conservation of the environment.

“These are social issues that require a concerted effort from Batswana across the board, private and public sector. I therefore, wish to encourage others to emulate the good will displayed by the Gamodubu Child Care Trust,” she said.

For his part, village Kgosi, Leboko Keletso said the donation was a sign that the development of the village was on the right track and this will surely attract more services which the Gamodubu people have been accessing at far away places. He said the centre does not only cater for residents of that village only, but also helps those from settlements around Gamodubu and as such, he implored villagers to own up and identify with the projects and not label them as a preserve for the few.

Earlier, BIHL Trust chair, Dr Happy Fidzani said the project is a commitment by the trust to support Gamodubu in its quest to curb social ills among the youths in the community. Ends