Debswana- Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mine (OLDM) Annual General Manager’s charity walk has raised P6.9 million since its inception in 2002. This is according to Debswana Corporate Communication Manager Agatha Sejoe.
On Saturday OLDM held its annual General Manager’s 10km and 20 km walk which attracted over 1 500 participants and various sponsors. The annual General Manager’s Walk is part of Debswana’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and it seeks to raise awareness of the socio-economic needs of the Boteti Sub District, raise money towards deserving community focused interventions and to improve employee wellness by encouraging a balanced, active and health lifestyle.
Sejoe said since its inception 17 years ago the Charity Walk has contributed immensely to the development story of Boteti Sub District.
“Major projects that have resulted from this initiative include the psycho-social support project for orphans and vulnerable children in the Boteti Sub District. Further, the walk has sponsored the construction of eight houses for less priviledged families at Xere, Khwee, Mokubilo, Mosu, Kedia, Mmea, Letlhakane and Mmatshumo at a cost of P1.2 million,” she said.
She also added that the charity walk has also since contributed P1.5 million towards construction of a maternity ward at Letlhakane Primary Hospital aimed at reducing congestion. The project was completed in 2020 at a total cost of P5.3 million. Debswana contributed P3.8 million to complete the project. Sejoe revealed that in 2018 the General Manager’s charity walk also contributed over P1.2 million towards construction of a Special Education Classroom Block at Tsienyane Primary School in Rakops village.
“The project was completed at a total of P4.75 million again with Debswana co-sponsoring. In 2019 the walk contributed P450 000 towards construction of Moreomaoto Clinic which was completed in 2019 at the cost of P1.5 million with OLDM providing additional funding to complete the project,” she said.
On what challenges the General Manager’s walk incurred since inception, Sejoe said Covid-19 has been the major challenge as it was suspended during the period. She however said the walk has been growing over the years. She said this is demonstrated by the money raised and the number of people that attend the activity. In the past, she said the walk would raise funds below P500 000 but nowadays they are able to raise over P1.5 million as evidenced by the money accrued in the 2022 Charity walk. This year’s charity walk raised around P1.6 million.
“Furthermore we have seen local businesses coming on board to support the charity event. The walk has also contributed to boosting local businesses such as guest houses and hotels. In addition walk registrations have grown significantly as we saw participants’ number increase to 1 400 this year compared to the previous years,” she said.
Sejoe said their purpose is to make life brilliant for the communities in their zone of influence through partnerships. She said the GM’s charity walk is one of the many initiatives that will go a long way in empowering communities that they do business in.
