Filipino Association in Botswana Handsover House for Orphaned Siblings
Philippine Ambassador Joseph Gerard B. Angeles (third from left), cuts the ribbon in the handover ceremony of a single-story, three-bedroom, fully-furnished house donated by members of the Filipino community led by the Filipino Association in Botswana (FAB) for the use of 3 orphaned siblings in Gakuto Village in Botswana. Two of the beneficiary orphans live with disabilities. Other personalities in the photo are: Philippine Honorary Consul Remigio Borello (left-most), outgoing FAB President Delores Adul (2nd from left), Ms. Thapelo Moalusi from the Office of the President (4th from left), Mr. Michael Raseokamo from the Office of MP Lentsweletau-Mmopane (5th from left) and Gakuto Village Kgosi (Chief) Abdul Letlamma (right-most).
20 September 2017 PRETORIA – A house built for the benefit of three orphaned siblings in Gakuto, Kweneng District, a small village located not very far from Botswana’s capital Gaborone.
This initiative was the Filipino community’s reply to the President’s Housing Appeal, a project of the Office of the President aimed at motivating individuals, organizations and businesses to assist in providing housing to needy Batswana (people of Botswana). The beneficiaries, the Ntswheu siblings, two of whom are living with disabilities, were identified through the assistance of the Social Welfare and Development Community Office of the Kweneng District.
In his speech during the handover ceremony, Ambassador Angeles said that giving the house to the Ntshweu siblings is the Filipino community’s way of “… returning the love that we have been receiving from Batswana… It is a way of saying thank you and giving back to the community.”
Outgoing FAB President Delores Adul said that they wanted to undertake a project that would make a difference in the lives of Batswana.
“Giving the house to the children we know it will restore dignity to their lives.”
From late 2016 and over the course of this year, the Filipino community, led by the Filipino Association in Botswana (FAB), pooled their resources and connections and worked together tirelessly to raise the necessary funds to build the siblings a single-story, three-bedroom, fully furnished house.
The FAB also ensured that the house was fully-stocked with groceries to allow easy transition for the siblings. Further, to the delight of the entire village, the FAB took advantage of the handover ceremony to also organize a grocery-giving event to the villagers in Gakuto, where the children reside. END
For more information, visit www.pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph.
FAB Members with Ambassador Angeles (center) and Gakuto Village Kgosi (Chief) Abdul Letlamma (left of Ambassador Angeles). Behind, the sizable exterior of the donated house can be seen.
Outgoing FAB President Delores Adul (center) handing out groceries to the villagers.