24 Jun 2024

Media personalities from Baitshepi Social Club on Saturday united with their partners to donate to pupils of Macheng Junior Secondary School in Sojwe.

Club members donated school shoes and bicycles among others. 

Speaking at the donation ceremony, Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja stressed the importance of giving, not only to pupils of the school, but also to bridge the gap between rural and urban communities as well as between those who had and those who had little.

She emphasised the significance of the bicycles, shoes and clothing, saying they may seem ordinary, but to the pupils they represented much more. "The gifts will stay with them long after they leave school,” she said.

The assistant minister acknowledged the resource constraints faced by her ministry, adding that it was through collaborative efforts that a difference could be made.  Ms Makwinja also urged pupils to take their studies seriously, saying education was their inheritance as no one could take it away from them.

The clubs chairperson, Ms Lucretia Chima said they wanted to demonstrate that journalists were also human and could make a positive impact in communities.”

Ms Chima also noted that they twice donated toiletry to the school and that it has become their adopted school and would support pupils and staff in whatever way they could. Ms Chima also expressed gratitude to Botswana Cycling Association and Goals for Change for their support and contribution. She said the cycling association gave the two top-performing pupils in JC exams brand-new bicycles worth P4 500 each. 

The social club, for their part, raised P4 000 to open a bank account for the most improved pupil and the assistant minister donated P500 to increase the funds.

Goals for Change Social Club members for their part gave P3 500 worth of school shoes and socks to pupils while  other organisations  such as Boitumelo Foundation contributed clothing and snacks for pupils as well as food donations. Botswana Cycling Association’s Ms Modiegi Pelaelo implored pupils to recognise and harness their talent.  “Use the talent you have been given to achieve great things,” she said. 

Mr  Stanley Mogotsi, representing Goals for Change Social Club, emphasised the importance of hard work and perseverance in shaping a brighter future.

The recipients of the gifts, Bofelo Lesarwe, Kaone Medupe and Tanki Tsiripe acknowledged their success. 

The headmaster of Macheng Secondary School, Mr Shadrack Keatlholetswe accepted the donations on behalf of the school and its pupils. 

He said the bicycle donations would motivate other pupils to also excel. ends