Support has poured in for Onanghulo Combined School in the Ongha circuit following a New Era article highlighting the school’s struggle to keep learners in class amid recurring floods.
So far, the government, businesspeople and individuals have stepped forward with significant donations to equip two newly built hostel blocks.
The ministry of education responded almost immediately after the story was published, committing to provide sleeping beds, mattresses, gas stoves, cooking pots and other essential kitchen utensils to ensure that learners can be accommodated as soon as possible.
In addition, a local businessman donated N$15 000 to the school. According to school principal Sedekia Udjombala, the money was used to purchase toilet pans and other essential sanitation fittings for the hostel facilities.
“The response has been overwhelming… this shows that when the plight of learners is made visible, people are willing to help. These contributions bring us much closer to accommodating learners before the next flood season,” Udjombala said.
Several prominent businesses in northern Namibia have also reached out, pledging further assistance. These include Ongwediva Town Lodge, Kabucha Empire and Uukalinawa Pharmacy, all of which have indicated their willingness to support the school in completing and equipping the hostels.
The developments come after parents and community members in Onanghulo village and surrounding areas raised over N$600 000 through fundraising initiatives between 2023 and 2025 to construct two hostel blocks at the school.
The hostels, one for boys and one for girls, each accommodate 80 learners and were built in response to the frequent flooding that renders the area inaccessible, often forcing the school to close for up to three months at a time.
During such periods, learners remain at home, fall behind academically and struggle to catch up once classes resume.
Construction of the hostel blocks was completed in 2025, with the buildings fully roofed and fitted with windows. However, the facilities initially remained empty due to a lack of beds, mattresses and basic equipment.
In addition to the hostels, parents also raised funds to construct a school kitchen, which has since been completed and equipped with gas stoves and cylinders. The kitchen is intended to cater for learners staying in the hostels.
Despite years of disruption caused by flooding, Onanghulo Combined School, which accommodates more than 1 000 learners, has maintained a strong academic record, a feat Udjombala attributes to the dedication of both teachers and learners.
Udjombala can be reached on +264 81 447 7555.