New York, NY; October 19, 2017 – Amid the convergence of high-level dignitaries and global leaders attending last month’s United Nations General Assembly, the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) presented a check for $130,000 to the Botswana Top Achievers program at a reception hosted by the Botswana delegation. The grant will be used to continue the support of Batswana youth through access to higher education so they, in turn, can help contribute to the economic development and diversification of Botswana. D.E.F has supported the Top Achievers program with over $740,000 in donations since 2011.
The reception in D.E.F’s honor was hosted by the Botswana Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Charles T. Ntwaagae, and Botswana Vice-President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Mr. Masisi will become the next President of Botswana in April of 2018. Present for the reception included Botswana Ambassador to the United States, H.E. David Newman, Mrs Neo Masisi, and delegates from Botswana attending the UNGA.
“Everyone from Botswana attending this reception today in some way benefitted from diamonds. We thank the Diamond Empowerment Fund for investing in the future of our next generation of leaders” said Vice President Masisi during the check presentation ceremony.
Botswana is one of the top producers of diamonds by carat weight and value in the world. It is also a shining model of the positive impact diamonds have on communities when good governance is combined with good corporate social responsibility and best business practices in the private sector. The Top Achiever program is administered through Botswana’s Ministry of Education and Skills Development.
D.E.F.’s support of Botswana’s Top Achievers and other programs in diamond communities is made possible through fundraising efforts such as the annual Diamonds Do Good Awards Gala, held in June in Las Vegas in conjunction with the JCK Show. Visit diamondempowerment.org for more information.
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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 has impacted over 2,000 students through its support of education and other transformative initiatives in global diamond communities. Visit diamondsdogood.com for more inspirational stories, and follow Diamonds Do Good on Facebook, and @DiamondsDoGood on Twitter, and Instagram.