Botho University provides Christmas cheer for orphans

CELINAH MATSIE

MASERU – A private provider of high quality education, Botho University handed over 28 pairs of shoes, used clothes and snacks to 28 children whose age ranges from three months to 17 years at the Ministry of Hope Orphanage as Christmas gifts on Monday, December 16.

This is part of the tertiary education provider’s social responsibility programme.

Handing over the gifts, ’Mankhole Thakhisi, the acting dean of the university said the school was not only meant for providing education but also to have social responsibilities where every faculty is expected to indicate what they have done to the community after every six months.

“We believe charity begins at home and as a university we believe wherever we are, we are not only making a difference in the higher education sector, but also in the immediate community”.

Thakhisi said they came to the Ministry of Hope with love and passion and seeing that there are young kids, they are planting a seed and encouraging them to join the university after high school.

“We came to show you that we are just next to you and even if we can move to our permanent homes, this will always be our home too, since it is where we started.

“The say if you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together,” Thakhisi said.

“We are not just sharing gifts,” Thakhisi said, “but we will continue sharing knowledge and information and please always be in touch with our student services department as there is more that we will be doing, not only for students service but for all the faculties.”

On behalf of Ministry of Hope Orphanage, ’Mamonyane Mohale, the founder and the overseer, thanked the university for being there for them.

“From 2015, the university through its students has been helping us with house chores, gardening and mostly by helping our children with assignments, particularly in computer studies”.

Ministry of Hope is a sanctuary for infants, children and youth in Maseru, which nurtures impoverished and orphaned children before returning them to their families or placing them with adopted families.

The orphanage’s priority is nutrition, restoring a child’s health through fresh milk and locally sourced meats and produce with a full-time social worker, tutor and round the clock caregiver.