P370 000 for Desert Bush Walk beneficiaries

 

The DESERT BUSH WALK-Winter 2022 was a resounding success. This week, CSI-Concepts Foundation in collaboration with The Desert Bush Walk Local Organizing Committee-LOC (Team of Volunteers) officially unveiled beneficiaries of the sixth edition of the event.

A total of P390 207. 70 was handed over to charitable organisations and initiatives spread through the country. In total, close to 20 beneficiaries benefited this year. The beneficiaries include Nshakazhogwe Primary School, who had a request for a reception class, and walked off with P50 000.

Boteti Community Projects was another beneficiary, walking off with P70 000, to be used for community projects that includes refurbishment of Mopipi Market, installation of Youth Entrepreneurship workshops in Boteti West constituency, and extension of Mokoboxane clinic. Other beneficiaries include Tsau Study Group that received P50 000, Dikgatlhong Primary School P30 000, Mambo village, Malaka Community Trust Training, Karakubis

Primary School and Mokobeng CJSS each received P10 000. The First Lady, Neo Masisi received P20 000, as well as the KK Motshidisi Foundation which got P25 000.

The event was held on July 30th, and it attracted participation from 1300 adventure lovers including The Minister of Foreign Affairs for Lesotho, Matsepo Ramakoae, and her deputy minister, Tseliso Kalake among others.

Speaking at the event, on behalf of the sponsors, National Coordinator of NAHPA Ontiretse Letlhare, noted that it was evident that the contribution of sponsors to award the selected beneficiaries with P390 207.70 had not gone to waste. He further urged sponsors and partners to continue supporting the event. “This must be motivation enough for us to continue supporting this initiative. I am actually committing you sponsors,” he explained, calling them to continue with this kind gesture next year. He also noted that the core of the Desert Bush Walk mirrors the core mandate of NAHPA which is that of bringing various stakeholders and general public together to address public health threats which are associated with HIV and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

“Of particular interest to us as an organization was the fact that the walk promotes physical activity and fitness and therefore addresses one of the lifestyle risk factors associated with NCD’s.'

He also highlighted that the burden of NCD’s in Botswana accounts to about 46 percent of all deaths, many of which occur prematurely, which is before the attainment of 70 years of life.

“You can see that this is a real challenge. Such diseases include heart diseases, stroke, obesity, with the associated health risks factors including unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and irresponsible use of alcohol, drugs and harmful substances as well as lack of physical activity,” he said. NCD’s are not only associated with human suffering but also have significant socio-economic consequences within the wider spectrum of society which includes loss of productivity, absenteeism, and reduced work capacity. He also said that another form of (NCD) was Mental Health, which hinges on psychological and social well being stability.

“Increasingly, the condition of mental health has become a national challenge for Botswana, which leads to people not being able to cope with the day-to-day challenges of life,” he explained.

Letlhare further said that the most painful thing about this condition is that it has a lot of stigma associated with it. And that if not kept in check, will lead to the country registering very high number of people who suffer from depression which may even lead to suicide.

CSI Concept Chairperson, Archibald Ngakayagae explained that this year, they had to limit participants to 1300 as they were limited due to resources. He also said that this year, after a two-year hiatus, they managed to organize this year’s event with the same spirit. Despite lack of enough sponsorship and support from other stakeholders, they had to limit walkers to 1300, as they did not want to use the money from the participants on the event. He pointed out that if they can have enough sponsors, they can host even up to 5000 walkers.

“Despite all the challenges that we were faced with, we managed to secure enough funding to deliver our mandate. The 2022 Community project adjudication was the toughest ever, as we had requests from all over the country from different sectors. There are a lot that we still have to help, some of them we will take them to next year,” he said, noting that those who submit request must ensure that their projects are sustainable and that they benefit more than one person. “Let us continue to change the world by walking the desert,” he said.