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SourcingOct 07, 2016
DEF Donates $130K to Botswana Students
The Diamond Empowerment Fund continued its string of philanthropic contributions at Botswana’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Left to right: Charles Ntwaagae, Botswana Ambassador to the United Nations; U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon; Raven Carey-James, Nancy Orem Lyman and Nicola Breytenbach Steiner of DEF; Yoo Soon-taek and Elizabeth Ntwaagae
New York--At a reception to celebrate Botswana’s 50 years of independence, the Diamond Empowerment Fund awarded a $130,000 check to the Botswana Top Achievers Program.
The Top Achievers Program, which is administered by Botswana’s Ministry of Education and Skills Development, focuses on connecting children with higher education opportunities. DEF has partnered with the program since 2011, donating more than $600,000 in that time.
The 50th anniversary ceremony was hosted by Botswana’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations, Charles T. Ntwaagae, and his wife, Elizabeth.
“While we are blessed with diamonds as one of our natural resources, our truly most important resource is our youth,” said Ntwaagae.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also was present for the ceremony and check presentation. The Secretary General urged Botswana to continue to lead Africa by its peaceful, stable example.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund was started in 2007 by Russell Simmons, De Beers and other diamond industry professionals. The DEF supports several educational initiatives in diamond communities.
To date, the DEF has helped more than 2,000 students pursue an education.
“Thank you to the Diamond Empowerment Fund for helping us pave a way for their future,” said Ntwaagae.
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