At the weekend, the UCCSA Broadhurst-based choir in Gaborone set a milestone, donating a two-bedroom house to Keoagile Tshwanelo, a disabled woman in Sefhophe village in the Central District.
Speaking on behalf of the choir, the Minister of Trade and Industry, and also the choir’s patron, Dorcus Makgatho Malesu, said it is important for churches to give to the poor and put God’s word into action.
“This initiative is part of President Ian Khama’s Housing appeal initiative which was established two years ago,” she said.
“The UCCSA choir heeded the call by the President to embark on such an initiative hence the completion and handing over of this magnificent project.”
The minister said that it is imperative for the business community and different religious organisations to support government in its poverty eradication drive.
She commended the donation, saying that it forms part of the 2016 vision pillar of a “Compassionate and Caring nation”.
“Even the bible is clear that God’s word should be shown through actions. UCCSA has lived up to its pledge of manifesting God’s word into action. This is not the first time that the church did something for the community as it also composed a song for the national team, ‘Zebras in 2012′, when the team was going for AFCON games,” said Makgatho-Malesu.
She said that UCCSA partnered with the Social and Community Development (S&CD) team in Sefhophe where Tshwanelo was identified as a needy person.
Makgatho-Malesu showered accolades on the Standard Chartered Bank as it also contributed funds towards the project.
“Standard Charted heeded the call to help UCCSA build this house as they donated P50 000,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the bank, the Branch Manager of Standard Chartered in Selibe Phikwe, Onalenna Ditsheko, expressed her happiness over the project saying that it is part of their duty as the bank to give back to the community.
“Last year in 2013, the UCCSA Choir approached us so that we can help them with funds to build a house for a disabled person. The issue was discussed with our head office. A consensus was reached and we agreed to contribute P50 000 towards the project,” she said.
Giving a keynote address, the Revered of UCCSA in Botswana, Keleneilwe Kgeretlhwa said that it is important for churches to set aside their differences and contribute towards the upliftment of the lives of the poor.
“The love that we get from God should be shared with others. Most of the time people forget who they are and forget God. For one to reach the kingdom of God, one has to have love. Like the bible says, you should love your neighbor as you love yourself,” the Reverend said.
He said that it is important for churches to unite and do God’s word of serving the needy.
He said his church would continue with serving the needy and the underpriviledged.
The Reverend said it is important for Christians to lead by example and manifest God’s word into action.
“Christians should help orphans, widows and the poor. They should walk in the footsteps of Jesus and God. As a church we are not doing this charity gesture as a way of bragging, but we are simply fulfilling the word of God. Christians should desist from the notion that when they are helping the needy they are doing them a favor. It is their obligation to do so,” he said.
For her part the beneficiary, Tshwanelo expressed gratitude to the church and other stake holders who contributed towards the project.
“I just want to thank the church and all those who contributed towards the success of this project. I am overwhelmed by happiness and there is nothing much I can say,” she said as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks.
Thanking the participants, Minister of Road and Transport and Member of Parliament for Phikwe East, Nonofo Molefhe, lauded UCCSA and all other stake holders for their charity gesture.
“I am very impressed and I wish to encourage the churches to continue with their spirit of love. It is stated in the bible that one should love his neighbor as they love themselves, this is happening today,” he said.
