D.E.F. Awards $122,500 to Botswana Youth Education Program
October 07, 15
(IDEX Online News) – The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) presented a check for $122,500 to support the education of Botswana’s youth through the Top Achievers program, which provides access to higher education in order to encourage economic development and diversification.
The Botswana delegation in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, including newly appointed Botswana Ambassador to the US H.E. David John Newman, ambassador and permanent representative of Botswana to the United Nations, H.E. Charles Thembani Ntwaagae, and Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, were presented with the check at a dinner reception honoring the Botswana vice-president, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
“Without diamonds, we would not be here today. Without our youth, we would not have a future that is as bright as it is today. With the partnership of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, we are truly blessed,” said Venson-Moitoi.
D.E.F co-founder Dr. Benjamin Chavis said, “Botswana represents all the good that diamonds can do. The Diamond Empowerment Fund is proud to support Botswana’s future by helping empower its youth and looks forward to helping the country celebrate its 50th year of Independence in 2016.”
Venson-Moitoi, then-minister of education, started the Top Achievers Program in 2010. Botswana is one of the top producers of diamonds by carat weight and value in the world.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund was co-founded by Russell Simmons, De Beers, and other leaders in the diamond industry in 2007. To-date D.E.F. funds have been disbursed to more than 2,000 students in support of education and other initiatives in global diamond communities.