Standard Chartered Bank (StanChart), through its global initiative Futuremakers, recently completed two projects developed in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village with a mandate of equipping young people mainly in the communities within which SOS Villages operates, with the necessary skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurship prospects.
The Collective Communities Project built two facilities: a business centre in Tlokweng and a horticultural farm in Ruretse that was unveiled last week.
The business centre aims to provide business coaching resources and other tools required to
advance entrepreneurship amongst young Batswana, while the horticulture project aims to train, build and incubate agriculturally-focused skills to help young Batswana either develop their own
businesses or increase their chances of employability.
“The completion of the SOS and Standard Chartered Futuremakers partnership, marks a significant step toward addressing the challenges faced by young people in Botswana. We believe that by equipping young Batswana with relevant skills, we are not just investing in their futures but also in the future of our country. Our partnership with SOS Children’s Village exemplifies our commitment to creating a more inclusive society. Together, we are empowering young Batswana to turn their aspirations into reality through entrepreneurship,” said Bame Moremong, Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank.
SOS Children’s Village Botswana National Director Motshwari Kitso attested to this, stating that the projects have been instrumental in providing young Batswana with vital business and agricultural skills, empowering them to build better futures by enabling disadvantaged young entrepreneurs and job-seekers, predominantly women and the differently abled, to learn, earn and grow to ensure that they are economically active members of society.
Likewise, the Futuremakers Programme is focused on breaking down barriers to opportunity and empowering the next generation to make meaningful contributions to the world around them. To date, the programme has reached 1049 talented young people in Botswana, predominantly women and also including 125 people living with disabilities.
“As StanChart, we aim to promote sustainable social and economic development in the regions where we operate. We recognise the role and responsibilities we have towards the development of our nation. We are here for good.” Concluded Ms. Moremong.
