Education journalist helps learners achieve dreams
Baboki Kayawe | Wednesday November 30, 2016 15:00
At the heart of this social movement, which launched Friday at Phakalane Golf Estate, is a quest for equity in the education sector through ensuring that all pupils have school shoes, in order for learning to happen in a dignified fashion.
Masisi commended this as an important initiative, which the state is willing to support given its invaluable role in augmenting government efforts. He encouraged the team, made up of Baputaki, Botho Baputaki, Moeti Joel and Kago Thapa to evolve into a full-fledged advocacy.
“Start with the feet but your might also get into advocacy,” he advised.
He added it is right for the organisation to start with education because doing so is an investment into the social sector as such income irregularities are being addressed.
“I am pleased to launch this wonderful public display of patriotism at its best,” he said. UNICEF country representative, Julianna Lindsey who was present at the launch said statistical analysis of wealth shows that Botswana in among the top 10 most unequal countries in the globe is worrisome.
“There is good reason to be proud of the advancements that have been made, but they have not benefited all children equally,” she said.
She said with these inequities, the country would continue to have districts with poor educational and health outcomes.
“So I wish to congratulate the foundation for making a deliberate effort to address such inequities,” Lindsey said.
While a journalist with Mmegi newspaper back in 2010 Baputaki ended up at Lesirane Primary School – a settlement on the outskirts of Gaborone. As is the case with many primary schools in the country, classes were being taught under a tree. One of the most apparent things she noticed, which was to change her worldview forever, was that a lot of these youngsters were barefoot.
“It was a chilly winter morning, and I really felt for these learners. I wanted to do something to help them,” she recalls.
This is how the foundation was born; to date Every Child Has A Dream has mobilised and donated 776 pairs of school shoes in various primary schools in the country. The foundation’s ultimate goal is to reach out to every needy child nationwide.