Monday, December 2, 2024

BOPEU Francistown branch holds fundraising marathon

Recently, the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) Francistown Branch held a 15 km marathon from Matshelagabedi Village to Francistown as a way of raising funds to address the plight of the disadvantaged in Francistown and the surrounding communities.

The Acting Chairman of the branch, Kethapeleng Karabo, told a media conference last week prior to the marathon that by involving sports in the fundraising initiative, it is a way of spreading the message to the public that health is an important aspect of life.

“We as BOPEU in Francistown have developed a five year plan to help the disadvantaged part of the Francistown community, which is a way of giving back to the community we live in,” he said.
He indicated that sports is another way through which the public could be sensitized on the importance of healthy living and yet not forgetting the underprivileged part of the society.

Karabo stated that BOPEU started this initiative in 2007 when they donated food to the poor in Monarch location in Francistown. He said that in 2008 BOPEU also donated some printers to Tshimologo Rehabilitation Centre in Francistown, adding that the roles of the trade unions are to bargain for the employees therefore with this initiative it is another way of uplifting the welfare of the community.

“We are currently partnering with Letshego Holdings Group to try and raise funds to be used in this initiative of helping the disadvantaged,” he said, stressing that BOPEU also promotes health living among the public employees because they need a healthy workforce that can deliver services satisfactorily to the nation.

Karabo mentioned that as public employees, Francistown is their second home therefore it is their duty to try and uplift the lifestyles of people in Francistown.

He applauded the media, indicating that through collaborative efforts, more could be achieved towards attaining the objective of uplifting the lives of the disadvantaged. He also stressed that although the world is still recovering from the global economic downturn, BOPEU realized that there is still life after this challenge.

“We want to plead with the other organizations and different stake holders to help us in this endeavor,” said Karabo.

He applauded Letshego Holdings Group for assisting them with funds amounting to P5 700 and appealed for partnership in other companies for the objective to be fully attained.

The Branch Manager of Letshego Holding Group in Francistown, Maria Sematlho also added that the company found it imperative to assist BOPEU as it is also mandated with Corporate Social Responsibility. She revealed that they have also been engaged in some corporate social responsibility programs before.

“We recently donated beds worth P100 000 to the Nyangabwe Referral Hospital and we also have a partnership with Childline and we give them P50 000 every year,” Sematlho said.

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