As part of giving back to the community and supporting sustainable development, Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) this week handed over 300 chickens and 100 bags of chicken feed worth M66,740 to St Cecilia Orphanage at Ha Buasono in Berea district.
The donation is aimed at helping the orphanage feed its children and sustain its operations. This is not the first SLB has donated to St. Cecilia as it had assisted with a water borehole and a tractor.
In her remarks, the branch manager of SLB in Teyateyaneng, Moliehi Morahanye, said every year the bank saves money and allocates it to the branches to identify areas in the communitieswhich need help as a way of giving back through its support.
As a result, the Teyateyaneng SLB branch identified St Cecilia Orphanage in appreciation of the good work it does.
“We all know it is not easy to raise children with different characters and needs who are from different families. The aim of SLB is to contribute to their growth.
“We looked at the needs that are required in consultation with the orphanage and the broiler chickens were among those needs. Therefore, we would really want to thank this centre for itsoutstanding work. We will continue to extend a helping hand in raising these children,”Morahanye noted.
For his part, SLB’s head of personal banking, Teboho Sello stated that one of the bank’sresponsibilities is to give back to the community and ensure that Basotho continue to grow and become successful.
“We normally describe ourselves as responsible citizens. We are not just a bank that delivers services to the nation, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that this country and its nation are successful.
“We are here once again as this is not the first time. We contributed to crop farming whereby we bought a tractor and today we are here again. SLB aims to give back to the communities across the country who also support. As a result, we would like to applaud Father (Pule) Mahlaku for the good work he is doing,” Sello said.
At the same occasion, the minister of gender,youth and social development, Pitso Lesaoanacommended the private sector for stepping in to support local communities in line with government’s call for greater corporate involvement in addressing social issues.
“We are pleased to see private sector entities, such as Standard Bank playing a critical role in upliftingcommunities,” Lesaoana said.
The founder of the orphanage, Father Mahlaku, expressed his delight at the donation, adding he did not have enough words to show his gratitude.
He wished for SLB to continue doing its great work of supporting initiatives.
St Cecilia Orphanage was registered in 2010. It takes care of orphans and vulnerable children. The orphanage currently houses 50 children monitored by 20 workers and caretakers.
