UB Student Launches ‘The Giving House’ to Drive Community Support
An aspiring young woman dedicated to building a culture of community, charity and support for fellow students and the less privileged has taken a bold step to make a difference. Ms Beyoncé Khumo Makgoeng, a University of Botswana (UB) student, has partnered with the UB Student Representative Council (SRC) to launch The Giving House, a non-profit organisation committed to impactful donations and community outreach.
Speaking at the launch, UB SRC Minister of Academic Services, Mr Vincent Rantshokeng, praised Ms Makgoeng for her vision and leadership. “The Giving House is more than a youth-led non-profit organisation. It is a movement committed to restoring dignity through giving, empowering through knowledge exchange and uplifting through business and career development,” he said. He congratulated the establishment of The Giving House as both a UB club and a registered NGO.
Sharing her inspiration, Ms Makgoeng reflected on a conversation with a classmate who once told her, “At least you get to use sanitary towels when it’s that time of the month.” The encounter opened her eyes to the quiet struggles of her peers. “Just because I am living a comfortable life doesn’t mean my neighbour is,” she said. This, she explained, sparked her resolve to help the less privileged.
She added that The Giving House will fight poverty through donations, support youth entrepreneurship programmes and raise awareness on social issues affecting young people. “I encourage you all to make an impact and not wait,” she urged.
Other speakers also commended the initiative. Dynamic youth leader and 5th-year UB Law student, Ms Tahnia Temane, challenged students to emulate Ms Makgoeng’s example, stressing that community support and collective action were key to transforming lives.
Renowned podcaster, Ms Mercy Gaolatlhege, host of the Sidilega Maikutlo show, encouraged students to lead with empathy and emotional intelligence. “A leader recognises the needs of others beyond a project’s mission, by listening, assessing and making effective decisions,” she said, adding that trust and genuine care were vital in serving communities.