Mohalenyane Phakela
SEKHAMETSI Development Trust on Sunday donated groceries worth M5000 to ‘Malibuseng Children’s Home in Maseru East and pledged a year’s supply of groceries to support 32 orphans and vulnerable children at the home.
The groceries included food stuffs, toiletries and gas for cooking.
Speaking on behalf of Sekhametsi Development Trust at the handover ceremony, Motlatsi Mokatse said they were moved to support the orphanage after they received a proposal seeking assistance on behalf of the orphanage from Sleek Rides.
Sleek Rides is a car movement that promotes car-related activities with the aim to promote a culture of understanding and appreciating of what cars can offer.
The movement, Sleek Rides, organises events to raise funds for different charitable initiatives. They also approach donors with proposals on behalf of organisations that work with the underprivileged.
“When Sleek Rides approached us, we found their proposal irresistible because giving support to children who are less fortunate, is one of our key objectives,” Mr Mokatse said.
He said they were hopeful that their partnership with Sleek Rides would grow from strength to strength and they would continue working in development projects targeting vulnerable people.
“I also hope the monthly groceries to this orphanage will go a long way to alleviate the challenges facing the home due to lack of donor support. It is our wish to see this support directed to its intended beneficiaries, who in the case are the children,” Mr Mokatse said.
‘Malibuseng Children’s Home was established in 2008, targeting children below the age of 18, who found themselves without a home due to their difficult circumstances. Currently, two of 32 children at the home have since completed their secondary education and are waiting for support to proceed to tertiary, while nine are still pursuing their secondary studies. Two other children are still in preschool while the rest are in primary schools. ‘Malibuseng Children’s Home Managing Director, Aupa Julius Ratṧolo said the groceries came at a time when the children needed them the most, as schools have just opened.
“We no longer have to worry about a lot of things and this includes, cooking in an open space during this rainy season. The gas we have received today will help us to prepare meals indoors, and to prepare them on time before the children leaves for school in the morning,” Mr Ratṧolo said.
He said he was happy that the support they have received was coming from a local organisation, which shows the beginning of a sustainable partnership, that will go a long way to improve the lives of the children.
“The children require a lot of support, particularly in the area of their education. They need books, uniforms, bags, shoes and socks. However, we are grateful that Sekhametsi Development Trust, in partnership with Sleek Rides, have remembered the need to provide food and toiletries to the children, not only for a month but for the whole year,” he said.
Mr Ratṧolo said they looked forward to working with their new partners in their new development initiatives aiming at generating income for the home to be able to sustain itself.
Also speaking at the handover ceremony, Sleek Rides Spokesperson, Tau Khauoe said they aim to raise funds to support the less privileged throughout the country.
“We recently started working in this area of charity. In November last year, we thought of changing the scope of our events to make them more meaningful by touching the lives of the poor. Apart from washing cars and organising events including Show-Off Your Ride, we decided to also approach organisations to help the poor and make a difference in their communities,” Mr Khauoe said.
He said through their work, they have identified orphanages struggling to look after orphans and vulnerable children.
“We realised that through our work, we can do more by connecting people in need of support with potential donors. We have made efforts to understand more about organisations including ‘Malibuseng Children’s Home, for us to be able to develop a donor proposal on their behalf. So far, we have seen that our efforts are working, and we are happy to have formed a partnership with Sekhametsi Development Trust.”
Mr Khauoe said apart from the groceries, there was a lot they could do to further support the home, particularly in ensuring that the home productively utilised its big yard.
“They have a big space where they can grow vegetables and keep chickens and pigs. This would ensure that they do not have to buy vegetables and meat for the children. However, we have noted that they need support to start such projects because it requires money to keep chickens and pigs; and to grow vegetables sustainably. We would like to appeal for support from various organisations targeting orphans and vulnerable children and others who appreciate how this orphanage is making a difference in this community,” Mr Khauoe said.
