Bereng Mpaki
MOLUMONG Primary School learners and teachers can now look forward to decent and hygienic ablution facilities courtesy of a recent donation of Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) toilets by Letšeng Diamonds.
Located in the Majakaneng village in Mokhotlong district, the school lacked proper toilet facilities which forced pupils to use the nearby fields- a development that bred conflict between the school management and the community.
However, as noted by the school’s principal, Teboho Mothoalo at the recent handover ceremony, that was now in the past “since we now have proper toilets for pupils and teachers thanks to Letšeng Diamonds”.
For his part, Letšeng Diamonds Corporate Social Responsibility and Investment Administrator, Tšepo Hlojeng said the donation was in line with their quest to give back to the community, adding, “We have a policy that covers six areas of focus including education”.
Each year the company sets aside part of its dividends for Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives (CSRI) and raises additional funds through activities such as the Letšeng Golf Classic Day.
Mr Hlojeng revealed that the company had to date, awarded 40 scholarships to Basotho to study natural resources extraction.
He said they had also donated toilets to St. Peter’s, St. Michaels and Mokhotlong LECSA’s primary schools.
Mokhotlong district’s Senior Education Officer, Lilian Malefe said the new toilets would allow students greater learning time which had been spent in walking long distances to find places to relieve themselves.
“Having to walk far from the school, pupils often fall into mischief like smoking while others never return for lessons.
“So, this donation will certainly improve the quality of learning at the school and should have a positive impact on the external examinations,” Ms Malefe said, adding the donation was in line with the government’s Child Friendly Schools Campaign to ensure learners had decent facilities to create a conducive learning environment.
Meanwhile, Mr Mothoalo appealed for assistance in the refurbishment of classrooms, adding a learner was injured when one of the walls caved in.
“We are in the process of rebuilding the classroom and we are going to need contributions from donors to complete the task,” he said.