A few years back District 9400 initiated an annual blanket project where they sourced blankets on behalf of clubs in the district. It is entitled the Collaborative Blanket Drive.
Past Assistant Governor (PAG) Bill McLellan approached Sandfire, who operate a copper mine in the Ghanzi region and also are undertaking exploration in the area, to establish whether they would be prepared to sponsor the distribution of blankets to the needy in their area of operation. Sandfire agreed and their contribution covered the cost of approximately 400 blankets including the transportation to Ghanzi. Bill McLellan’s company, Poseidon Geophysics, covered the cost of the balance of the blankets to make a total of 600. The Rotary Club of Gaborone arranged for the payment and shipment of the blankets.
The Sandfire Community Relations Coordinator Obakwe Tsholofelo in liaison with the Ghanzi District Council Representative and village leaders organized for donations to be done to destitutes and home-based care at East Hanahai, West Hanahai, Grootlaagte, D’Kar and Qabo villages. Donations were also organized at Remote Area Development Programme (RADP) hostel at New Xade, and primary school hostels at D’Kar and Kuke. The donations were scheduled for Monday 14 July to Wednesday 16 July.
Past President (PP) Chipo Gaobatwe and Rotarian (Rtn) Graham Burt departed Gaborone at around 9:30 on Sunday 13 July and PAG Bill and Amogelane Mpodi of Poseidon departed a little while later. The drive took about 8 hours to travel the approximately 650 km.
MONDAY
After breakfast we headed off to the Sandfire Exploration camp just up the road from Ghanzi. After being breathalysed and during discussions with Sandfire Exploration management it was decided that Sandfire Exploration would supply us with a vehicle and a driver. The four of us squeezed into the Toyota double cab. In all the confusion the Rotary banners got left behind in PAG Bill’s car.
We then set off to East Hanahai about 75 km away. Unfortunately, due to all the delays we arrived at the Kgotla after the blanket donations had already been carried out by the Sandfire team. We had a few photos with the chief and then handed out the snack packs that were provided by Sandfire and had been in the vehicle that transported us. 52 blankets and 120 snack packs were handed out. The snack packs consisted of a bottle of water, a fruit juice or fizzy drink, a banana or orange, a small bag of crisps or peanuts.
Then we tracked back about 25 km to West Hanahai. There together with the Sandfire team we handed out 70 blankets and 120 snack packs at the Kgotla.
From West Hanahai we headed off to New Xade. It was a journey of over 100 km on a fairly rough road. It was a long and not so winding road of little interest. At the RADP hostel 66 blankets and 120 snack packs were donated.
Then we retraced our steps back to arrive at Ghanzi after dark.
TUESDAY
We were picked up by our Sandfire driver before sunrise and we set off to Grootlaagte about 85 km by road and near the Namibian border. On arrival at the Kgotla we discovered that we were double booked. After negotiation we agreed to take the 2nd slot. That enabled us to have our packed breakfast which had been kindly provided by Sandfire Exploration.
When it came our time at the Kgotla, 90 blankets and 120 snack packs were handed out to destitutes and home-based care individuals.
Then we returned to Ghanzi and then onto the A3 to D’Kar 40 km north east of Ghanzi. At the Kgotla we presented 205 blankets and 120 snack packs to destitutes, home-based care individuals as well as the primary school hostel.
After the presentation we were taken to the primary school hostel to see the facilities. From there we returned to Ghanzi arriving shortly before sunset.
WEDNESDAY
Once again we were picked up at first light and set off on an approximate 75 km journey to Qabo. The road has very similar to the New Xade road. After having a packed breakfast again provided by Sandfire Exploration we handed out 60 blankets and 120 snack packs.
Then it was back to Ghanzi and lunch at Sandfire Exploration camp. After lunch we travelled 100 km up the A3 to Kuke and there we presented the primary school hostel with 60 blankets and 120 snack packs.
After a tour of the hostel facilities we returned to Ghanzi. Later we met up for drinks and an early dinner with the Sandfire team for a debrief. The conclusions was the donation process was generally extremely well organized and greatly appreciated by recipients and community leaders. It was felt that there was a great need in the area and it was proposed that the project be continued next year.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
On Thursday PP Chipo and Rtn Graham returned to Gaborone while PAG Bill and Amogelane return a few days latter as they had business to conclude for Poseidon.
Rtn Graham delivered a brief report at the Rotary Club of Gaborone’s business meeting on Friday. He stressed the isolation that many of the communities live in with limited facilities and little support.