27 Feb 2025

In a remarkable display of community service, Kgafela Primary School has opened its doors to flood-hit families from the Rantshompe/Mmapole wards in Mochudi. Classrooms have been turned into temporary shelters for the 78 flood victims whose lives remain in limbo following last week’s heavy downpour.
The school in collaboration with local authorities made a deliberate decision to provide food, toiletries, clothing and blankets to the victims, a sign that it is not only there as an institution for learning but, one that provides social service to the community when the need arises.
“Some of these provisions wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the community as well as the teachers,” said the school’s principal, Ms Margaret Seele who indicated that some came in with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Among the evacuees was Mr Butiki Phiri who recounted the fate he suffered as a result of the floods.
 “I have lost so much because of these floods. The water destroyed everything in the house leaving very little to salvage,” said Mr Phiri .
He showed BOPA his makeshift dwelling at the school and the sight was not pretty.
 His children’s soaked books were left open on tables tops to dry.
“When the water level rose, we had to leave everything behind, including my chickens. From 35 chickens I was left with only six,” said Mr Phiri.
Mr Lebang Ramocha, a former refugee at Kgafela Primary School, expressed his gratitude to the school principal whom he said took good care of them. “Here we are a close-knit family, all thanks to Ms Seele who made all of us feel at home. During my stay we were provided with breakfast and lunch as well as access to anything else we needed,” said Mr Ramocha.
While the school reaffirmed its commitment to taking care of the victims, whose numbers have since dropped to 38 as at February 25, until the very end, Ms Seele stated that more help was still needed.
For a single mother of three still living at the school, Ms Tebogo Ramocha, revealed her anxiety about life when the day comes to leave the temporary shelter. “We have been so well fed and taken care of here. I do not know how I am going to survive after this, especially with a very sick child who needs special attention from time to time,” said Ms Ramocha. ENDS