While Kgosi Mmipi of Metsimotlhabe praised Pabalelong Hospice for bringing badly-needed healthcare to his community, Easigas sees assisting the hospice as synchronising with the government’s Reset Agenda.
Leading Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) company, Easigas Botswana, commemorated Sir Seretse Khama Day last Friday by donating food hampers to Pabalelong Hospice – Home of Love and Care, in Metsimotlhabe.
The event was a week after the date in focus, Sir Seretse Khama Day, that fell on Saturday, 1st of July 2023 because most people had already made plans for the weekend. According to Easigas Country Manager Mr. James Phagane, rather than just engage in meaningless joyous celebrations, they decided to commemorate the day in a meaningful way of giving back to the community.
From poorest to fastest
“When Sir Seretse Khama first because president, Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world but he and his outstanding team of leaders helped it become one of the fastest-growing economies,” Phagane said.
“Giving back to the community was one of his main pillars in order to get to know his people and appreciate how they lived and the challenges they faced. “And so today, 57 years on, we recall and relive the principles espoused by the founding president – those of Therisanyo, Popagano, Boipelego, Puso ya Batho ka Batho and Botho – which are the pillars that laid the foundation for present-day Botswana.”
Helping hand
He noted that through its CSR initiative, Easigas Botswana is passionate about extending a helping hand to the communities in line with these principles. Easigas Botswana has proven over the years that it is not only about selling gas but is also about having an impact outside the business world to help the less privileged, restore their dignity, and build their confidence.
“Everyone deserves the right to basic needs like water, shelter, education, and good health,” Phagane said. “As Easigas we have taken this upon ourselves to support community projects that gravitate towards alleviating challenges in health, education, and the underprivileged. “We have identified Pabalelong as one of the one-off beneficiaries of these food hampers because we have seen the impact you have made through your home-based care in Metsimotlhabe, Mmopane, Gamononyane, and Gakuto, including the orphans that are cared for by your hospice in Mmopane,” he said.
Reset Agenda
Phagane characterised this as commendable not only because Pabalelong first opened doors to patients in May 2010 but also because their activities are synchronised with the government’s Reset Agenda for a better Botswana.
“You will recall that in this Reset Agenda, the fifth priority relates specifically to Mindset Change which aims to inspire us to own the national development goals, as well as to embrace the goals in both disposition and action,” he said. “Therefore, these dispositions and actions that you exemplify will continue to greatly impact the community and pave the way for other partners to come and partner with you in your endeavours.”
Love and dignity
He noted that Pabalelong’s mandate of providing patients with love, dignity, and care fits perfectly into the Government’s aspirations through the Ministry of Health, which aims to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of every Motswana to fully contribute to the development of the country through a healthy nation. For her part, Pabalelong Administrator Sunila Erumangalathu explained that they take care of patients who are terminally sick but admit other patients as well.
She said they assist people in the communities of Metsimotlhabe, Mmopane, Gamononyane, and Gakuto, including orphans who are cared for by their hospice in Mmopane. She added that they are trying to expand their healthcare services to areas like Kopong. She expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Easigas for their noble gesture, saying Pabalelong is always in need of resources and provisions to provide care for patients.
Grateful
Expressing his gratitude, Kgosi Mmipi of Metsimotlhabe said when Pabalelong started in 2010, the community was struggling to access such healthcare services. “Since Pabalelong opened here, it has improved and the community’s healthcare needs and we are forever grateful for that,” he said. “However, for Pabalelong to continue operating, we need good Samaritans like Easigas who continue to provide resources for the hospice. Blessed is the hand that giveth.”
