23 Feb 2014

The Japanese Embassy has donated two tent structures worth over P380 000 to Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust through their grant assistance.

The wooden, thatched tents, situated at Kajikini campsite, will assist the trust in funding development projects for the village. Speaking during the handing over of the tents, Japanese Ambassador, Mr Hiroyasu Kobayashi said with the nationwide hunting ban that effected recently, the new tents were expected to play a big role in supporting the trust’s future community developments.

“I am pleased to learn that 50 per cent of revenue obtained from the tents will be used for community projects,” he said. He said government had been providing various types of assistance to Botswana since 1981, adding that their grant assisted in the grassroots human security projects. He said the scheme, which the trust had been awarded, was designed to assist non-profit organisations that were already working hard to address their own needs.

“This is based on the understanding that the development of the community by the community for the community is the most effective and sustainable manner of regional development. These tents are a prime example of how the community’s traditions and knowledge of their environment have been put to good use.” Mr Kobayashi said the tents, which were constructed in a traditional way, blend perfectly with their surrounding and maintain the traditional culture of Botswana.

He praised the trust for a job well done, adding that as a community based organisation, it has been generating income for the development of its villages for years, mainly through the sale of hunting concessions acquired from authorised hunting areas. He said their proceeds of over P150 000 was spent towards the construction of community hall and installation of a standpipe for all households in the village.

Kgosi Gokgathang Moalosi of Sankoyo thanked the Japanese government for their noble gesture, noting that the luxurious tents would improve the lives of the communities. He said the village was rural and the communities were unable to take advantage of agricultural activities, hence they found it fit to benefit from the natural resources.

The chairperson of the trust, Mr Haku Galesenngwe said the donation was a great investment and thanked the donor. He said the assistance came after the media wrote positive stories about the trust, hence their financial request was successful.

He said initially they requested funding for two structures and one vehicle. Mr Galesenngwe said the trust has been doing wonders towards community developments, adding that they have contributed over P65 000 towards the completion of the project.

He said the tents were ready to be occupied. He mentioned some challenges of electricity and asked some donors out there to extend a helping hand.Mr Galesenngwe said they intended to install solar power system, but due to financial constraints they could not managed.

However the ambassador said in near future a solar power system would be installed as it was the case in other parts of the campsite.For his mart, Maun East MP, Mr Frank Ramsden said tourism had contributed significantly to the economy of the country and thanked the trust for still upholding the spirit of natural resources conservation.

He said the trust had ensured the community benefit from the natural resources around them. ENDS