03 Feb 2025

 In an effort to rehabilitate recovering addicts, Ark and Mark Trust have taken the initiative to engage them in community development projects.

Already, the Trust has engaged them in the construction of new police offices in Robelela.

Speaking during handover of the offices, Ark and Mark Trust deputy director, Ms Tshepiso Sekopo said the project demonstrated capabilities of the recovering addicts and also exemplified the transformative power of second chance. 

“Recognising that effective recovery goes beyond rehabilitation, the Trust has put in place creative and innovative handy skills programmes to provide recoverees with the opportunity to contribute to communities they live in while honing their essential skills,” said Ms Sekopo. 

According to Ms Sekopo, the approach was part of the Trust’s objective to equip recoverees with useful skills, promote resilience, and demonstrate the Trust’s commitment to reintegrating recoveries back into the society. 

This, she said, was also to accord recoverees and opportunity to recuperate and show their ability in spite of the drug ordeal they faced, and establishing the possibility of transformation. 

This initiative spearheaded by the Ark and Mark Trust and supervised by the relevant personnel was sponsored by the Ministry of Health at the tune of P130 000. 

For his part, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa who is also the Member of parliament for Mmadinare, commended Ark and Mark Trust for the efforts to combat social ills in communities, particularly among young people. 

Mr Motshegwa underlined the need for a continuous public-private partnership so as to close some of the gaps in terms of community development and job creation, which might lessen some of the social ills. 

One of the youths undergoing rehabilitation at Ark and Mark Trust, Mr Mogakolodi Matsuru thanked the Trust for giving him and others a second chance to positively contribute to his community. 

“Working on this project has shown me that there is life beyond addiction. I never thought I would be proud of my work again, but here I am, helping to build a future for my village after the disorder of being addicted,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Botswana Police Service Divisional Commander North Central, Senior Assistant Commissioner Peter Gochela said he was optimistic that the offices would provide a safe environment for the village.

Also, he said it served as a representation of hope and a tangible reminded that lives could be transformed despite the past. ENDS