Empowering the Next Generation of Women
Diamond polisher Kemmonye Kgatitswe was born in Botswana in 1973. Despite her country’s growing economy, her family lived in poverty, squeezing out an existence as farmers. This demanding work does not often provide a chance for a better future. The Kalahari Dream® Diamond was conceived to empower women just like Kemmonye. She is the first of seven children and took on the mantle of responsibility for her siblings. She never went to college and despite her complete lack of work experience Leo Schachter hired her in 1994 to work in their Botswana manufacturing plant. They gave her the necessary training to become a diamond polisher, forever changing her life.
Diamond polisher Kemmonye Kgatitswe was born in Botswana in 1973. Despite her country’s growing economy, her family lived in poverty, squeezing out an existence as farmers. This demanding work does not often provide a chance for a better future. The Kalahari Dream® Diamond was conceived to empower women just like Kemmonye.
Water Project
For a country covered in over 80% desert, Botswana’s water supply has always been a difficulty. Things have only made a turn for the worst. Over the years, the small country in the southern tip of Africa has endured a series of droughts. This succession of years with little water has left more than thirty percent of the citizenry without access to clean drinking water, forcing people to travel miles to the nearest fresh water.
For a country covered in over 80% desert, Botswana’s water supply has always been a difficulty. Things have only made a turn for the worst. Over the years, the small country in the southern tip of Africa has endured a series of droughts. This succession of years with little water has left more than thirty percent of the citizenry without access to clean drinking water, forcing people to travel miles to the nearest fresh water.
Creating Artisans
On a normal day, Chris gets out of bed with the sun and starts his morning with the news. After breakfast, he gets ready for work and conveniently drops his kids off at school along the way. His commute ends at his unique workplace – the Schachter Botswana (Proprietary) Limited Molepolole Diamond Polishing Factory.
Since he was a child, Chris Mamamelala always dreamed of working with diamonds as he watched the low-flying aircraft fly overhead in search of diamonds.
On a normal day, Chris gets out of bed with the sun and starts his morning with the news. After breakfast, he gets ready for work and conveniently drops his kids off at school along the way. His commute ends at his unique workplace - the Schachter Botswana (Proprietary) Limited Molepolole Diamond Polishing Factory.
A Community Effort
In September, 1966, Botswana won independence from Great Britain, pushing forward to establish their own democracy. Yet, despite their monumental achievement, it was not always smooth sailing for the small country. In the early eighties Botsawna was taken by a widespread epidemic of HIV, affecting a quarter of their adult population. Over the last fifty years they have struggled to preserve their history, their wildlife and their people.
In September, 1966, Botswana won independence from Great Britain, pushing forward to establish their own democracy. Yet, despite their monumental achievement, it was not always smooth sailing for the small country. In the early eighties Botsawna was taken by a widespread epidemic of HIV, affecting a quarter of their adult population. Over the last fifty years they have struggled to preserve their history, their wildlife and their people.
Against All Odds
Growing up with her grandparents because her mom was homeless, Goabaone Wetshootsile thought many times how impossible it would be to turn her life around. When Goabaone graduated with a Junior Secondary Certificate, she was jobless for 10 years until Leo Schachter offered her a trainee position polishing diamonds in 1994. Leo Schachter founded the Kalahari Dream® Diamond to tell the amazing stories of their Botswana employees such as Goabaone. Their Botswana manufacturing facility has provided sustainable jobs to the local community for two decades.
Growing up with her grandparents because her mom was homeless, Goabaone Wetshootsile thought many times how impossible it would be to turn her life around. When Goabaone graduated with a Junior Secondary Certificate, she was jobless for 10 years until Leo Schachter offered her a trainee position polishing diamonds in 1994.
Every Child in Botswana
How is it possible that every child in Botswana receives free primary education? Festus Mogae, President of Botswana, said, “For our people, every diamond purchase represents food on the table; better living conditions, better healthcare, potable and safe drinking water, more roads to connect our remote communities; and much more.”
When diamonds were discovered in Botswana in 1966, there were only three secondary schools. Today there are more than 300.
How is it possible that every child in Botswana receives free primary education? Festus Mogae, President of Botswana, said, “For our people, every diamond purchase represents food on the table; better living conditions, better healthcare, potable and safe drinking water, more roads to connect our remote communities; and much more.”
FOSTERING LOCAL LEADERSHIP
As a child, Chris Mamalelala marveled at the low-flying planes soaring above his small village in eastern Botswana. The pilots, he was told, were diamond explorers, piquing the curiosity of his 7-year-old imagination.
It wasn’t until his third year at Botswana University, where he studied physics on a government scholarship given to high academic achievers, that he understood that those planes were part of a vast diamond industry that had shaped his country for the better.
As a child, Chris Mamalelala marveled at the low-flying planes soaring above his small village in eastern Botswana. The pilots, he was told, were diamond explorers, piquing the curiosity of his 7-year-old imagination.
We Rise Together
Outside the town of Orapa, Botswana, lies a singular mine with some impressive initiatives focused on the surrounding communities. The Orapa mine fully funds two hospitals that provide medical care for mine employees and serve as district hospitals for local neighborhoods. The mine has poured millions into the hospitals and health and welfare programs over the last few years.
The mine is proud to be a part of a Corporate Social Investment program, OLDM (Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines). The program has invested over 4 million pula in community development.
Outside the town of Orapa, Botswana, lies a singular mine with some impressive initiatives focused on the surrounding communities. The Orapa mine fully funds two hospitals that provide medical care for mine employees and serve as district hospitals for local neighborhoods. The mine has poured millions into the hospitals and health and welfare programs over the last few years.
Not Just Diamonds
The Cullinan Mine, one of several mines our diamonds come from, sits outside the town of Cullinan in southern Africa. The mine is heralded for its spectacular and famous diamonds, including the mine’s namesake, the largest diamond ever found. But beyond its wealth and fame, the mine has moved other kinds of mountains to improve the quality of life for the community of Cullinan, and its neighbors Refilwe and Rayton, through a wide variety of humanitarian projects.
The Cullinan Charity Fund fills its ranks with mine employees volunteering their time and treasure at one or more critical projects in the area.
The Cullinan Mine, one of several mines our diamonds come from, sits outside the town of Cullinan in southern Africa. The mine is heralded for its spectacular and famous diamonds, including the mine’s namesake, the largest diamond ever found.
A Diamond Buyer, A Rhino and a Pendant
Since 2016, Borsheims has partnered with the Kalahari Dream Diamond in the hopes of bettering the areas in which the diamond industry does business. The Kalahari Dream Diamond was curated with the goal of giving back to the lands and communities that so generously provide these beautiful stones.
But after Borsheim’s diamond buyer Heather Ingraham spent time at the Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary in South Africa, she knew they could be doing more with this initiative. Here, she shares her story and the inspiration to support orphaned rhinos in the region.
Since 2016, Borsheims has partnered with the Kalahari Dream Diamond in the hopes of bettering the areas in which the diamond industry does business. The Kalahari Dream Diamond was curated with the goal of giving back to the lands and communities that so generously provide these beautiful stones.