As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility projects, the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) donated P1.57 million to build a special classroom for disabled children in Tonota Village.
Addressing the participants during a ground breaking ceremony for the project on Friday in Tonota Village, the Managing Director of BDC, Maria Nthebolan, said that the donation came after a request from the Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Pono Moatlhodi, who pleaded with the organization to construct a special classroom for the disabled children in his village.
“This request was approved in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility programme, which was set up in July 1999 for the purpose of setting up grants and donations Fund through which the corporation delivers on its Corporate Social Responsibility objective of extending financial assistance or support to deserving organizations,” she said.
Nthebolan also said that BDC has always extended such kind of assistance to different communities in a non-discriminatory manner. She said that the organizations that have been assisted so far are those that deal with issues of environment conservation and natural resources, the care and rehabilitation of handicapped and disadvantaged members of the society,  and the provision of recreational and sporting activities representing the country at national level.
“To demonstrate our corporation’s commitment towards the development of quality education in Botswana, we have engaged in providing assistance to projects that generate sustainable employment and enhance skills of the local workforce,” she added.
Nthebolan said that a similar classroom was built in Francistown Centre for the deaf in 2009 at a cost of P800 000 and pointed out that the special needs classroom will be a blessing for the people of Tonota as it will have modern facilities aimed at improving the learning of disabled students.
“This is in line with the nation pillars of an educated and informed nation, a compassionate, just and caring nation and a prosperous and innovative nation,” she said.
Nthebolan concluded by saying that it is important for the community and different organizations to give their support to those in need.
