02 Aug 2024

Shiv Charitable Society conducted free eye testing on more than 125 women, children and other needy residents with the help of five qualified and licensed health professional optometrists to Mmanoko and surrounding villages.

 Speaking during the society's fifth eye camp at Mmanoko on Sunday, one of the founding members , Mr Umesh Sharma, said they offered free screening and  free spectacles to all in need.

He said impaired vision was one of the major hurdles in the development of a person, noting that  many people had overcome  visual impairment to live a normal life.

Mr Sharma said however vision impairment was now seen as an avoidable health issue and there were many methods of treatment, including eye screening and providing spectacles for clear vision related visual impairment.

He added that the Shiv Charitable Society was also donating 151 food hampers, 8 wheel chairs 250 packets of sanitary pads to underprivileged, primary school girls. The society also donated 350 food packs.

He said the charitable society would plant and distribute 100 fruit trees among the villagers through the High Commission of India, and fencing around fruit trees sponsored by Manase Construction (Pty) Ltd and organic fertiliser sponsored by Grow Fast.

Mr Sharma said Shiv charitable society was one of the organisations, which contributed towards the development of Batswana by conducting and volunteering numerous charity projects successfully as part of their social corporate responsibility.

They were dedicated to the upliftment of many underprivileged sections of the society by conducting charity works to empower the underprivileged, and  to instil hope by providing the support for everyone to rise with dignity.

The High Commissioner of India to Botswana, Mr Bharath Kuthati, expressed gratitude to the Shiv Charitable Society and Member of Parliament for Molepolole South, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, for their compassion towards the people of Mmanoko.

Mr Kuthati said the motto of society ‘Service to Mankind is Service to God’ reflected their collective commitment to lending a helping hand to those in need and catalyse a positive transformation in lives.

He added: “Today, as we come together, our shared goal is to bring about tangible and enduring impact on the lives of the individuals who rely on our support”.

He congratulated the society for reaching a milestone of 15 years of service, and having been consistently involved in a wide range of charitable activities including providing support to underprivileged communities, organisng health and educational initiatives, and offering disaster relief efforts.

Mr Kuthati said they had made an important decision to organise a plantation drive in an effort to contribute to environmental conservation.

Mr Sanjay Joshi, the managing director of Bank of Baroda, said their commitment to the social corporate responsibility was not merely a mandate but a deeply rooted philosophy that guided their actions and decisions.

“Today, we are here to do again another CSR activity, and I am happy to inform you that the bank is donating 5 wheel chairs to the needy people of Mmanoko and P10 000 donation worth of food hampers,” he said.

The Kweneng District Health Management Team Coordinator (DHMT), Ms Josephine Mosimanewakgosi, said primary health care was  part of the health service provision.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi urged residents to attend to seek medical help on time to avoid congestion at hospitals and local clinics. She said the Shiv Charitable Society had brought health care services closer to people and she encouraged residents to  take advantage of it and attends to their needs on time.

Mr Morwaeng, hailed the Shiv Charitable Society for the donation and, acknowledged the commitment by the Indian Community in Botswana and their efforts to empower and change the lives of Batswana through charitable projects.

He noted that the Indian High Commission that the Indian government had sponsored several Batswana students to study in India and that continued to forge bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said last year Bank of Baroda donated educational materials to Sedumedi Junior Secondary School worth more than P100 000.

He applauded the Shiv Charitable Society for offering free eye testing services, free eye spectacles and donations of food hampers and wheel chairs which would go a long way in addressing the needs of residents. Ends