Bereng Mpaki
EMPLOYEES from Standard Lesotho Bank’s (SLB) human capital unit on Tuesday completed the remaining construction of a hall at Morapeli Disabled Centre in Mafeteng through their contributions.
The hall had remained unfinished without window panes, ceiling and unplastered floor and walls as the centre was unable to complete it before the SLB staffers intervened.
SLB’s learning and development manager, Motselisi Ramoqopo, said the assistance is extended to Morapeli as part of the bank’s social responsibility programmes.
She said the bank and its staffers have been assisting the centre with grocieries over the past three years at the end of the year but decided on a different approach in 2020.
“As a bank we have a policy of giving back to the community around us, and today we are here to remind ourselves that,” Ms Ramoqopo said.
“Our relationship with the centre started four years ago after they were identified by our Mafeteng office. In the past we chose to assist them by buying them groceries, but this year we decided to find out from them the kind of assistance they would like from us.
“They told us about their unfinished hall which they were failing to complete due to financial constraints and asked us to help them to complete it.”
Ms Ramoqopo said the funds used to assist the centre have been raised by the bank together with its employees from its human capital unit.
“Every business unit identifies a CSI initiative to support and then raises funds towards it during the course of the year. After the employees have raised the funds, the bank then matches the amount we have raised towards initiative which we support by the end of the year.”
Speaking on behalf of the centre, Sister Marry Mokoma expressed gratitude to the standard bank family for their generosity to the centre.
“I want to convey my special gratitude to the Standard Bank family for this great gift especially now during this time of Christmas, which is a time which reminds us the importance of giving and also a time for family reunions.”
She said they were grateful for the continuing support from the bank and its staffers.
She promised the centre would bank with SLB when they have the funds as a sign of showing gratitude for the bank’s continued support to them over the years.
The centre, established in 1976, houses 42 disabled children from the area.
