BHC LENDS A HELPING HAND TO THE GWETA FLOOD VICTIMS

Date: 
26 Apr 2017

The recent torrential rainfall has brought a lot of joy to many Batswana in most parts of the country after a long dry spell caused by the effects of the El Nino phenomenon. Unfortunately for some it wasn’t happiness after all as the heavy down pours destroyed property and rendered them homeless. The village of Gweta was among the villages which was not spared by the floods which swept across certain parts of the locality and left destruction in its wake. More than 200 families were affected and some lost their houses and had to be given temporary shelter at the local Brigade.


The Botswana Housing Corporation Corporate Social Responsibility Committee took to the village a few weeks ago to meet with the village elders to conduct an assessment of the damage caused by these floods. Upon return a report was compiled detailing needs for those affected. The Corporation’s management then took a decision to assist the victims with basic necessities which includes food stuffs, protective clothing, mosquito nets, snake repellents and two 10,000 litre portable water tanks to be place at strategic points in the village.


On Wednesday April 26th, 2017, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Mr Reginald Motswaiso presented the donated items to the Member of Parliament for Gweta/ Nata Hon. Polson Majaga and the village leadership. When presenting the item, the CEO remarked that the mandate of BHC which remains crucial to date is to provide housing and shelter to Batswana in general and in executing this mandate, the Corporation recognizes that the Government needs assistance in addressing other societal problems and challenges as and when they arise. “It is for this reason that we here today is to provide comfort and extend our assistance to those that have been affected by the recent disastrous floods. We   observed through the media that people in Gweta and surrounding villages were in dire straits following the floods,” he said.
Mr Motswaiso further said that the Corporation has a social responsibility policy through which the Corporation extend financial assistance and/or support to deserving communities and other organisations. He pointed out that over the years, the Corporation has undertaken a number of initiatives across the country, which are aimed at improving the human condition adding that some years back the Corporation responded to a similar call in Etsha 6 in Ngamiland where people had suffered due the floods in the area.


Turning to the mandate of the Corporation, Mr Motswaiso informed the gathering that the Corporation is responsible for provision of housing to Batswana. He urged those in attendance to take advantage of the Government Housing Initiatives such as SHHA Turnkey which one pays as little as P375.00 monthly instalments for a period of 20 years to own a house which costs more than P90,000.
In his acceptance remarks, the Member or Parliament for Gweta/ Nata, Hon. Polson Majaga commended the Corpo

ration for taking it upon itself to respond to this call especially after seeing the devastation the floods had caused in the village. He urged those responsible for distribution of the donation to ensure that the food parcels and other donation items benefit those that were affected. He cautioned beneficiaries against selling or trading donation items as he said this would be inappropriate. Hon. Majaga lastly urged other entities similar to BHC to emulate this spirit of giving and helping those in need especially with the provision of shelter which most people in need of.