Diamond Fund Donates $130K to Botswana Program

RAPAPORT… The Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) has presented a $130,000 check
to the Botswana Top Achievers program for outstanding scholars who can make a
contribution to the country’s economic development.




The ceremony was held at Botswana’s mission to
the United Nations earlier this month. The
grant will be used to continue supporting Botswana youth through access to
higher education to enable them to contribute to the nation’s
economic development and diversification.




The reception in the DEF’s honor was hosted by
the Botswana Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Charles Ntwaagae, and
Botswana Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi.




“Everyone from
Botswana attending this reception today [has] in some way benefited from
diamonds,” Masisi said during the ceremony. “We thank the Diamond Empowerment Fund for investing in the future of
our next generation of leaders.”



Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Russell Simmons
and leaders in the diamond and jewelry industries, the DEF is a global nonprofit organization that supports initiatives to help development in areas of the world with a significant diamond trade. The DEF has supported the Top Achievers program,
which is run by Botswana’s Ministry of Education and Skills Development, with more
than $740,000 in donations since 2011.




Botswana is one of the top producers of diamonds by
carat weight and value in the world.