By: Pheello Mosesi
As the fifth beneficiaries of the Econet Telecom Lesotho’s corporate responsibility, the Maleoa family walked into a newly built two roomed house in Matsatsaneng, Butha-Buthe this week.
A mother of eight children, ’Masefako Maleoa, has been described to have lived in misery and anguish for years by her neighbour who spoke at the handover of the newly built house by Econet. The house, valued to an estimated quarter of a million, is fitted with furniture.
Speaking at the handover event on behalf of the company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer Teboho Tjaoane said they saw it beneficial and vital to build the Maleoa a house.
“We would like to thank the customers who have helped ETL grow as their contributions have highly contributed to making things like this happen,” Tjaoane said.
He said in the previous week, an event of the same fashion took place in Mokhotlong, Ntlholohetsane, where a 16-year-old girl was gifted the same house from the telecommunications company.
“In line with Econet’s mission, vision and core values, this new homeis not just a building but a symbol of our deep-rooted commitment tochanging lives. We believe that access to a safe and dignified livingenvironment is a basic human right. For the Maleoa family, this house represents security, peace of mind and a fresh start,” Tjaoane said.
Not only did he thank Econet for making this family’s dream come true but he also passed his gratitude to the customers of the company as he revealed that he believes the growth of the company comes from them.
“I want to thank Econet for the house. I lived in a muddy and ever puddly house. The condition was heartbreaking. It is still surreal to see I have a house like this because of Econet and for that act of kindness I will eternally be grateful. Those who are to follow and be the beneficiaries, I will love to see them experience the joy I have as welland I wish this company growth,” ’Masefako Maleoa, the beneficiary said, voicing out her gratitude with a face filled with joy.
Present at this handover event was the Minister of Youth, Sports and Recreation, Honourable Pitso Lesaoana.
The Minister said they had been working on the housing project to help the less privileged for quite some time, adding that he was amazed at how persistent Econet has been in trying to improve the lives of Basotho with both corporate responsibility and their mission statement as a service and network provider.
”I want to embrace ’Masefako for holding on in her conditions and not abandoning her responsibility as a parent. This new house will be a home to her family to secure their dignity and safety. As a ministry we are already working on seeing how we can also contribute to bettering the life of this family and others,” the Minister added.
He said he wished more companies could follow suit in helping the less fortunate to meet them halfway, to see them having their dreams turning into reality so that poverty could be combated in Lesotho.
“I plea with Basotho to also adapt to this behaviour of helping one another individually or in groups,” he said.
This project is yet another milestone in Econet’s journey of puttingpeople first and demonstrating that beyond technology and innovation,at the heart of the company is a genuine desire to see communitiesthrive.
