Lesedi Primary: An apt example of compassion

Editor | Friday April 13, 2007 00:00

The gesture by Lesedi Primary School means that some of the salient values that both government and the nation holds dear are rooted among the people. For example, the Botswana society and its leadership has been at the fore-front of the campaign for a nation of compassionate people. Such a value is encapsulated in the national Vision 2016.

 

It may be premature to conclude that the Vision would be realisable. But it is encouraging that there are indications that some people including school children are aware of some the lofty ideals that the nation aspires to achieve. Certainly, growing up with such loving and caring spirit may spur youngsters and guide them to become better people.

 

Botswana's ability to care for its people and become a great nation will in future just as in the past depend a great deal on the ideals we set for ourselves.

The spirit of botho should not just be interpreted narrowly in terms of doling out hand outs to the unfortunate and the less privileged. There should be a deliberate effort to make the beneficiaries to graduate from their plight. It should be clear that while we may not have necessarily created some of the situations in which our less privileged people find themselves in, we should work to eradicate the dependency syndrome.

 

Today's Thought

 

It is lack of love for ourselves that inhibits our compassion toward others. If we make friends with ourselves, then there is no obstacle to opening our hearts and minds to others.

- Unknown