The BMDYL donated two Samsung washing machines worth P3,660, cash amounting to P580, food and second-hand clothes to the Monarch-based centre for visually impaired children. BMDYL president, Phenyo Segokgo, told the gathering at the hand over ceremony that the donation was the start of their charity initiatives, for the less privileged and disabled.Segokgo said after his committee took over office on May 27, they held their first meeting in Mahalapye, where they mooted the idea of starting an outreach programme under which they would donate goods to the less privileged, the elderly and the disabled, across Botswana.
"We are trying to avoid being involved in politics alone, but choose to engage in other projects which are of national interest. We also want to put aside political differences with other parties and focus on Botswana's human development," said Segokgo.After the BMDYL was elected into office, they approached the UCCSA church in Mahalapye, not only to ask for prayers to succeed in their project, but also to identify who to assist with donations.Lephoi Centre, which is owned by UCCSA, was willing to work with them, said Segokgo, who added that his committee agreed for each person to contribute clothes that they no longer needed. Segokgo said the BMDYL fundraising committee also agreed to ask for assistance from the private sector, who responded by donating food and cash, which they bought the two washing machines with. In his address the Secretary General of the BMD and MP for Francistown East, Wynter Mmolotsi said he appreciated the BMDYL's gesture towards the less privileged. He further noted that political parties across the country should make it their prerogative to donate to the needy members of the society. According to him, political parties have a tendency of making donations prior to general elections in a bid to lure voters.
