Access Bank Employees Transform Ramotswa Deaf Centre Library Through Volunteering Initiative
Ramotswa, Botswana – Access Bank Botswana’s Employee Volunteering Programme (EVP) has breathed new life into the library at Ramotswa Centre for the Deaf, creating a more inclusive and inspiring learning environment for students living with hearing impairments.
Driven by a shared commitment to community development, the Bank’s Banking Operations Team raised close to P180,000 through internal fundraising efforts to refurbish the school’s library, benefiting nearly 100 learners aged between 2 and 13 years from across Botswana.
The upgraded facility was officially handed over on Friday, 22 May, during a ceremony attended by Kgosi Mosadi Seboko, alongside representatives from the Botswana Society for the Deaf, Agaisago Foundation and the local Education Office.
For more than three months, students watched eagerly as the transformation unfolded. The project coordinator and Finance Manager, Elias Setshwantsho, said the initiative was inspired by the belief that every child deserves access to quality learning resources and a safe space that encourages curiosity and growth.
The refurbishment included major structural improvements such as roof replacement, installation of new ceilings and carpets, interior painting and decoration, as well as the addition of bookshelves, study desks and seating. The library was also stocked with specialised reading materials aimed at supporting literacy development among the learners.
Access Bank Botswana said the project reflects the broader mission of its global Employee Volunteering Programme, which encourages staff members to contribute their time, skills and resources to causes aligned with education, entrepreneurship, health and environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko praised the initiative, describing access to knowledge as a powerful tool that broadens opportunities and builds confidence among young learners. She further urged the community to protect and fully utilise the facility for future generations.
The library refurbishment marks the beginning of a longer-term partnership, with Access Bank committing to a three-year corporate social responsibility programme with the Centre.