Children in the Wilderness (CITW) and Wilderness Botswana take enormous pride in excellence, not only when it comes to the business, but also in their affiliated stakeholders. The 2022 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) results saw Sankuyo Primary School included among the schools in Botswana which performed exceptionally well. In fact, in the North-West District, Sankuyo Primary School took first position! This prompted the school management, together with the chief of the village, Kgosi Timex Moalosi, to celebrate these results as a way of motivating the teachers and students to continue to work hard.
Every year, CITW and Wilderness Botswana provide a special breakfast for the Standard 7s when sitting for their final examinations. This is done to motivate the children and also to make sure that they all write their examinations well fed. Over the past years, this has been well worth the effort, and in 2021 Sankuyo Primary School attained a 100% pass rate.
On the 31st of March 2023, Wilderness Botswana Managing Director Kim Nixon, Sales & Private Guides Manager Attorney Vasco, and the CITW team attended the celebratory event as the main sponsor. The event was also graced by North-West District Council Chair, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho, Chief Education Officer, Mr Brown Sethapelo, Deputy Chairperson – Education & Health Committee, Honorable Kobamelo Baikgodisi, and many other government officials. The theme for the day was “Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow: A force to reckon with for global change”.
In his speech, Mr Nixon emphasised the reason behind the existence of CITW – to teach the children to care for their environments, as they are the future custodians of these pristine areas. He further challenged the students to study hard this year to attain 100% pass rate, urging them to have a dream and to chase it. In order to attain your dream, he noted that it boils down to education, and reminded them that they are the captains of their own ships. He also congratulated the leader of the village of Sankuyo, Kgosi Moalosi, and noted that this achievement would not have been possible without proper leadership, and his efforts in bringing the village together, allowing for an enabling learning environment for the children. “Thuto ke lesedi (education is light)”, noted Mr Nixon, in closing.
In conclusion, as a gift from Wilderness Botswana, Mr Nixon handed over a brand new laptop to the 2022 Standard 7 class teacher, Mr Boago Ontiretse, to motivate him to work even harder for this year’s results. He also presented a gift of BWP3,000 to the Head Teacher of the school, and handed over to all the learners of the 2022 Standard 7 class special gifts in the form of comforters (bedding), which were bought by CITW Botswana.
A PTA representative then gave a vote of thanks, expressing their appreciation for Wilderness Botswana, Children in the Wilderness, the Sankuyo Community Trust and other stakeholders, for supporting their children’s education. He further encouraged parents to care for their children and also support the efforts of these stakeholders. At the end of the ceremony, Mr Baikgodisi handed over a gift to Mr Nixon as a token of appreciation for honouring the invitation to be a guest speaker.
Children in the Wilderness and Wilderness Botswana extend their sincere congratulations to Sankuyo Primary School’s class of 2022 for their work well done, and for their future excellence in the years to come.
Report by Kelebogile “Kelly” Baitshoki – CITW Botswana Assistant Administrator
