Trust Fund Launched To Fight Organ Problems

Kgomotso Molelekeng | Monday March 3, 2014 15:12

The trust fund has been named after the first beneficiary, Pedro Moabi, a teacher at the school who needs to go for urgent kidney transplant in India.

It was launched with pomp and ceremony at the Gaborone West Community Hall by Deputy PS in the Ministry of Education, Kgopotso Ramoroka, who donated P5,000. The fund has raised P27,600.

Other donations have come from the Botswana Teachers Union (P2,000),  Moabi’s young brother, Edward, (P5,000), Maoka Secondary School (P2,600), Spar (P10,000) and computer suppliers Bytes Technology (P3,000).

Artworld and Satik printing provided banners for the day, YOHO, decorated the podium and gave logistical support, Brave Production freely availed the sound system for the launch, while BOSETU supplied bottled water and paid for the décor. Leading local musicians like Thabang, DJ La Timmy, Slizer Ounah, Gabo Thotobolo and Maikano Serenaders performed at the event for free.

The organiser of the event, Gabo Thotobolo, a teacher and gospel artist said that they decided to support and help Moabi to finance what is not covered by his medical aid. “Moabi’s medical aid does not cover social services like accommodation, transportation and a caretaker, so we felt we needed to raise funds for this,” she said. She said the trust will continue to help any person in the Ministry of Education who needs assistance.

Maikano headmistress, Lillian Rampha urged other schools to form health clubs in order to train students and teachers on health issues. “Let us come together and save lives because it is even said in the Bible that blessed is the hand that gives,” she said.

The beneficiary, Moabi told The Monitor that he discovered he had kidney failure in September 2012. “I am very grateful to Moabi Trust Fund for the assistance they are giving me. I do not know what I would do if they did not help me and more importantly, I would like to thank my daughter, Lilian Moabi who is donating a kidney for me,” he said.

He leaves in April for the transplant operation in India.

Moabi Trust Fund is meant to promote and finance organ disease prevention and treatment in Botswana. It aims to be a national resource centre for awareness, fund raising, prevention education and treatment for organ disease. Its mission is to prevent organ diseases through public education awareness campaigns and research to improve quality of life for Batswana.