Ko-Leshuu donates food hamper
Christmas came early this year for Kumwara Motunda and her children when a newly-formed woman society in Thito ward, Ko-Leshuu, presented her with a food hamper this past Sunday.
The 40-year-old mother said she was happy as her children – youngest being six months old – were going to eat a good meal after a long time.
“I am suffering because of my needy state. I am not employed and it breaks my heart to see my children go to bed hungry,” said Motunda.
Born in Etsha 3, Motunda said she never enjoyed a fulfilling life as her parents were also poor. “They worked hard to put food on our plates but they were still poor,” she said.
When her parents died, Motunda relocated to Maun where she stayed with relatives as a young girl. “I didn’t go far with my education and now I am unemployed with five children and have no source of income,” she explained.
Asked where the father of her children are, Motunda only responded, “He is the kind that is never there, the kind that flees after making a baby.”
Housed in a single room, which a kind relative has lent out to her, Motunda expressed desperation for land.
“If I get the land, I may somehow build a house for my children or maybe some Good Samaritans may help us through. I am actually hoping that Tawana Land Board would allocate a piece for me anytime soon. I have been in the waiting list for a long time.”
Motunda sometimes works for the drought relief programme that pays her P550 a month, but since she went for ‘unpaid matenity leave’, she had to stay home for at least 8 months, two months before delivery and six after delivery to nurse the baby.
“When the baby is still this young, I cannot work because I cannot afford a nanny, not even baby formula. I have to stay home and breastfeed. After weaning, that is when I can maybe ask a neighbour and some of the relatives to remain with the child for some few hours while I rejoin Ipelegeng.
Handing the goodies to Motunda on Sunday, Ko-Leshuu woman’s society said they were touched by her living condition and visited her.
“I use the road that passes next to her house so I see her every day. One of the days, I talked to other members and we paid her a visit. It was during these visits that we picked her area of need and decided to buy her food,” said the society’s founder and chairperson, Emily Kwerepe.
Kwerepe further explained that theirs was a relatively new organisation which was formed three months ago and has membership of around forty-five women.
Its purpose, she said, is to help and uplift livelihoods of community members at Thito ward (Leshung area).
“We do home visits; we chat and talk about issues affecting our community and this is the beginning because with time we intend to even start building houses for those in need. This donation is our very first, the next will be a clothing hamper for some children in our community,” further explained Kwerepe.
She said with a generous donation from a local businessman and politician, Reaboka Mbulawa, they managed to deliver the donation and build the society. “We really thank him for his kindness,” said Kwerepe in conclusion.
Area Councillor, Molamu, said although the society has not yet registered, it promises to deliver good charity work in his ward and says that would go a long way in raising a happy society.
