24 Jun 2025

Volunteerism and humanitarianism are the drivers that allow Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to cope with administering charities.

The co-founder and director of Selwana Skylar Foundation, Ms Selwana Motsemeng said this in an interview yesterday during a charitable activity that included  free screening for sugar diabetes and eye problems on learners of Solomon Dihutso Primary School. Ms Motsemeng who collaborated with stakeholders such as Impala Drilling, Re Ja Mmogo Rehabilitation Centre and Eyelight Optometrists, said the intervention was necessary as it allowed for timely action to prevent loss of sight in children.

Elaborating further on their charity work, she pointed out that they recently donated about 1 005 pairs of school shoes in Letlhakane. She said they were also focused on advocating community engagement as well as sensitising children specifically on issues of child abuse. Ms Motsemeng said her advocacy for the protection and safety of children was inspired by having had to testify before a court of law after witnessing incidents of child molestation in her pre-teen years.

The founder and director of another charitable organisation named Walk of Hope, Ms Theriso Motsumi-Motsemeng said learners who received vision diagnosis would undergo further tests from optometrist Dr Thanuja Panicker of Eyelight Optometrists, with whom both organisations had partnered. Ms Motsumi-Motsemeng explained that for eye problems, they had so far screened 411 pupils from Monare, Bonewamang and Solomon Dihutso primary schools, while other screening activities were scheduled for Serowe on June 29 and Selebi Phikwe on July 3.

“Of the 411 children screened, 369 have normal vision whereas 43 have abnormal vision,” she said, stating that the total cost for this screening added up to around P123 000.

Giving a background of their eye screening and donation drive, Ms Motsumi-Motsemeng said Project 267, as they have named it, also advocated for the creation of safe environments for children so that they could live peacefully. Operated under the theme: Safe Spaces, Strong Futures, Ms Motsumi-Motsemeng said the phrase ‘Strong Futures’ spoke to the need to groom learners who would be able to compete with their peers in other parts of the globe.

On challenges, she said NGOs were often hampered by lack of funds. She revealed that they had planned to conclude their charity tour in Tutume but  lack of funds to cover the associated expenses was a stumbling block. Thus, she pleaded with well-wishers to come on board to help ensure that the mission bore fruit.

Head-teacher of Solomon Dihutso Primary School, Ms Keatse Mojakgesa expressed gratitude for the gesture that had been extended to her school. She underlined that eye problems negatively affected the school’s performance, adding that the screening had come at an appropriate time as the Standard 7s were preparing for the Primary School Leaving Examinations.

Thus, she said those with eye problems or diabetes would as a result receive assistance on time. Ms Mojakgesa also applauded parents for their mutual cooperation by allowing their children to be screened. ENDS