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The most unbearable day was the second, when walkers spent a night without bathing water at Thabatshukudu camp. But this was dealt with psychologically until the next day of arrival at Makgadikgadi base camp. All this happened during the fourth Makgadikgadi Pans walk that took place from June 9-13. It started at Makgadikgadi Lodge and ended at Thabatshukudu. The most enjoyable trip was that from Thabatshukudu to Kubu Island and back. The last day saw walkers returning to their base - Makgadikgadi Lodge - to heal their blisters. Dr Nomsa Mbere, the chairperson of Y-Care Charitable Trust said the walk would take place every winter because that is when conditions are conducive for walking. She expressed her gratitude for the success of the walk. Dr Mbere, who is also the Botswana Red Cross president, indicated that the challenges experienced during the walk were not more important than their mission. Y Care's mandate is to raise funds for non-profit making organisations, while simultaneously enabling sponsors to experience parts of Botswana, which had before not been a reality for them. It provides participants the opportunity to face challenges and endurance, which leads to team building and achievement of a higher sense of self-awareness. Dr Mbere asserted that since the first walk in 2003, they have been able to raise more funds yearly and were happy that the trust was growing. "There is definite progress," she said. She however explained that there were other anticipated problems that crop up but vowed that would not deter them. "Problems are part of the war and we deal with them as we go," she said. She disclosed that from the walk, they managed to raise approximately P250,000 from different corporate sponsors and individuals. She expressed gratitude that this was a better figure than the previous years. This shows that they are reaching their mandate, she said. Beneficiaries of the 2006 walk are Gaing-o-Community Trust, Life Line, Bana ba Metsi School, Teemashane, Tsodilo Community Trust, Camphill Community Trust, Cancer Association Botswana, Thapong Visual Arts Centre and Re Mmogo. Dr Mbere pointed out that her trust does not sponsor individuals because they do not have the capacity to monitor or assess how the money is spent. The managing director of Orapa and Letlhakane mines Sebetela Sebetela said Debswana is one of the corporate sponsors of Y Care. "As Debswana we believe that we have to broaden our mission and be able to touch the lives of many people in need," he said. He said Debswana was not only a diamond mining company but also had the responsibility of taking care of the society. He explained that they have a very active community around the Orapa and Letlhakane mines. Sebetela encouraged other companies to drive the spirit of compassion and help the needy. He challenged them to take charge of the needy society by participating in fund raising activities like the walk. Meanwhile Dr Mbere noted that another such walk is scheduled for Tsodilo Hills next month.
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