In commemoration of the Day of the African Child on June 16, celebrated under the international theme “ensuring universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for every child in Africa”, PEP Stores has donated essential items valued at P39,000 to Maun’s Tshidilo Stimulation Centre.
The donation comprised specific clothing items packaged for each of the 75 students, cleaning supplies and some snacks.
Handing over the goods, PEP Stores manager Kago Regoeng said the donation aligns with this year’s June 16 theme, as it will go a long way towards restoring the dignity of learners, boosting confidence and ensuring they study in a hygienic and highly conducive learning environment.
He noted that their main priority is safeguarding the wellbeing of children by directly addressing the challenges they battle against in their everyday lives. Regoeng emphasised that they do so by engaging in education-related projects that target children every single year.
Regoeng stated that their donation was inspired by a previous conversation they had with the office of the North West District Commissioner, which enlightened them on the resource challenges existing within the institution.
He stressed that he could not imagine children living with disabilities learning in a non-conducive environment that lacked resources, adding that witnessing such conditions remains a painful experience.
He further emphasised that most individuals living with disabilities come from underprivileged families, and this on its own poses unbearable disadvantages on them. Regoeng stated that for this year’s commemoration, they wanted to share resources and happiness with Tshidilo staff and students.
He underscored that their retail mandate seeks to equalise both underprivileged and well-off families by ensuring they all enjoy equal access to high-quality products.
The PEP Stores manager concluded by highlighting that they recently established the “Keeping Girls in School” initiative, through which they donate sanitary pads to female learners to ensure that natural occurrences like emergency menstrual periods do not affect classroom learning. He noted that PEP has also collaborated with Masiela Trust Fund over previous years to assist underprivileged families in remote areas with toiletries and basic necessities.
TSC Centre Manager Ramoremi Mphothwe appreciated PEP Stores for their generous act, noting it comes at a critical time when the financial support they previously received from various corporate companies has completely stopped.
He further alluded that the donation, which goes a long way in promoting local education, aligns perfectly with the June 16 commemoration history born from fighting educational injustices within schooling systems.
Mphothwe stated that since the landmark June 16 incident, education systems across Africa have gradually developed over time. He added that to date, education remains one of the most supported sectors in Africa, appreciating PEP Stores for supporting local education. Meanwhile, TSC head of therapy and rehabilitation department Oabona Leilamang pleaded with PEP Stores to adopt the centre.
