Gold star for red cross

Tshepo Kehimile
ASSIST. MINISTER & BRCS SG: Monnakgotla & Mukokomani (L-R)

Society pays tribute to volunteers

Part of a family famous the world over for helping those in need, this Tuesday the Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) celebrated the deserving souls who sacrifice their time and service in the name of good.

The feel-good factor was out in full force at the BRCS Volunteer Recognition & Awards ceremony, held at the University of Botswana (UB) campus in Gaborone.

Officiating at the event, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Talita Monnakgotla praised the society for its exceptional volunteer work.

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Thanked the Red Cross for their continued, unwavering support, especially at community level, Monnakgotla said, “BRCS has been augmenting the government in different sectorial areas, namely: Covid-19 response, disaster response, provision of rehabilitation services, youth and volunteer development programs. Furthermore, the Society has contributed towards child protection through mentoring programmes for vulnerable children across the country.”

Monnakgotla further revealed BRCS recently conducted youth entrepreneurship development training for 38 volunteers from across the country.

“The workshop was aimed at connecting the youth volunteers to established entrepreneurship and business development services providers, relevant for mentorship, coaching and finally, provide the youth with an opportunity to enhance their skills and talent development,” explained Monnakgotla.

For his part, BRCS Secretary General, Kutlwano Mukokomani was quick to highlight the role volunteers play at the Red Cross, noting they were crucial to the organisation’s success.

“Volunteers are the backbone of the BRCS and we would not have been able to deliver our humanitarian aid without their help. We are proud to say that we find pleasure in making sure that the youth are off the streets by volunteer work hence why decided to honour them with this auspicious Awards Ceremony,” he stated.

Outlining the importance of hosting such event, Mukokomani added, “Aligned to our values as Batswana, this event promotes volunteerism which is a noble course for humanity. Therefore, it serves a motivation to improve and challenges the performance of individual volunteers and instill a collective strive for excellence by volunteers in our national society, BRCS.”

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Adding further pomp to proceedings, BRSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Botswana (UB) on the night.

“I would like to thank UB for agreeing to walk this noble journey with BRCS and its volunteers. The current humanitarian challenges in the world call for partnerships with institutions such as this one, institutions of high learning which are aimed at finding solutions to the ever-challenging problems of humanity,” stressed the BRCS Secretary General.

BRCS AWARDS CATEGORIES AND WINNERS

1. Best school based Red Cross Club – CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
2. Community based disability volunteer – MARGARET GALEBOE (LETLHAKANE)
3. Best First Aid volunteer – TSHIMOLOGO MAJOO
4. Best health and care volunteer – REFILWE PILANE
5. Best disaster response volunteer – LEMOGANG MACHENA
6. Best volunteer – LEBOGANG SEABELO
7. Best youth volunteer – MIKE T. MOTSEOTHATA
8. Best division – NORTHERN & KGALAGADI
9. Best school based Red Cross Club patron – OARABILE JULIA
10. Best National Youth Executive member – TWINKLE GALESIWE
11. Best Branch – KASANE
12. Best senior volunteer – KEOBAMETSE SETSO

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