TNMC Donates House To Visually Impaired Woman
Faith Siako | Monday November 16, 2015 15:21
Despite being faced with financial constraints, TNMC employees raised funds as part of their social responsibility initiative dubbed ‘Donate a day’ to give out to the community they serve.
The beneficiary, Dzidzo Thomas was identified through the help of Matshelagabedi Village Development Committee (VDC) that also fenced her donated two and half house. Thomas who is the mother of a boy and girl has previously been residing at Sekukwe settlement.
Thomas’s children have been travelling 16 kilometres to attend school at Matshelagabedi Primary School something that negatively affected their studies.
Giving the project overview, TNMC managing director, Ditiro Lentswe said since 2012 the funds raised from the charity walk have been invested in the construction of houses for families living close to the mine.
He said that TNMC worked together with the VDC to select builders from Matshelagabedi who are qualified to build houses.
Lentswe said to date a total of seven houses have been built and handed over to the recipients.
“We must bring dignity to those close to the mine first before we go out because charity begins at home,” said Lentswe.
He revealed that in 2012 one house was built at Matshelagabedi and the other in Matsiloje adding that from the 2013 charity walk they managed to construct one house in Motopi and two in Matshelagabedi.
“In 2014, two houses were built - one at Matsiloje that was handed in July and the other we are handing over today,“ he said.
He added that projects such as these are very necessary for emphasing the importance of a decent lifestyle and it is a gesture that TNMC is not only concerned about its employees but also the business.
“I believe very strongly that as human beings we deserve habitable shelter. You will agree with me that each and everyone of us wants to sleep comfortably and have a place to relax that we always refer to as a home,” he said. Lentswe said in 2010 TNMC introduced the MDs sponsored charity walk with the main objective of raising funds that can be used to assist in small projects at villages close to the mine.
He said the charity walk has been growing significantly since its inception from a net of P100,000 in 2010 to P350,000 in 2014.
He stated that he appreciates the passion and commitment of TNMC employees towards making the charity walk a success.
“Through the concept of ‘Donate a day’ employees voluntarily donated leave days and the response continued to grow after introducing it in 2012.
The corporate world has also been very supportive through its sponsorship as the funds raised from the charity walk have been invested in the construction of these houses,” said Lentswe.
He explained that TNMC has done a lot to help communities around the mine, especially on matters relating to health, community development and education. Lentswe said they would continue to interact with communities around the mine because they definitely have to work as a team to have a shared vision in developing the community.
He said that they have a large role to play as the corporate sector in the development of communities around the country and projects such as these will empower them (community members) and give them the dignity they deserve.
“Dignity gives strength, without it a person becomes weak and unable to stand for himself or herself against challenges of life. Our slogan says ‘Tati Nickel Cares’ and we will strive at all times to live up to it,” he said.
Receiving the house, Thomas expressed happiness and gratitude to TNMC for having given her a decent shelter. She said that the house would protect her and her family from harsh climatic conditions and give them dignity.