The Women Police Network in Shakawe, has recently donated a pit latrine to a village resident, as a way of showing empathy and as part of their social responsibility.
The pit latrine was donated on Tuesday to a needy elderly person living next to the police houses in Shakawe.
Speaking at the hand over, Assistant Superintendent Otshidile Bikitshane said they formed the network as women to try and empower each other and encourage one another to work and serve the nation attentively. The network has three pillars formed under it which include, fighting crime, social responsibility and empowering a police woman to do her work diligently.
She indicated that they met with the beneficiary who is an elderly lady to listen to her needs in order to identify how they could assist. Bikitshane said their aim is to continue to partake in more social responsibility activities in society.
The beneficiary, was thankful for the gift said what the police women have done is an admirable gesture and that it has ended so many of her challenges as an old lady living alone.
For his part, the district number 17 officer commanding, Senior Superintendent Victor Nlebesi encouraged the women network to up the emphatic gesture and do even more. His hope is that the donation is the beginning of bigger things to come.
He said each person has the right to shelter and dignity, adding that what the group had done is very admirable. Nlebesi noted that he is grateful for the effort done by the network as it is a way of uplifting the Botswana Police Service.
Meanwhile the Okavango District Officer, Gaehetswe Maphakwane added that the gesture of donating a latrine to the beneficiary is a sign of love and empathy. “The society should know that outside their work of dealing with criminals, the police are responsible citizens who care about the society at large.”
Maphakwane highlighted that a toilet gives one dignity and is therefore highly needed especially for an elderly person. She added that there are many dangers out there when one has to go out of her yard to use the toilet especially at night.
