Windhoek
A group of nine students from the University of Namibia (Unam) have set out to make a change in the lives of children with mental disabilities at the Môreson School in Windhoek through an arts project.
Môreson (Let the sun rise tomorrow and forever) was established by the Namibian Association of Children with Disabilities in 1976 and became a government school in 1990. It had 60 students along with seven teachers in 1995. Today the school caters for close to 120 children. Students were tasked by the Unam Legal Aid Clinic to embark on a community project impact on society. Heeding the call they opted to deal with children with impaired learning abilities, determined to have a huge impact on the lives of these children with an arts project including painting.
“I feel very privileged, I see it as an eye opener for many, most people are not aware of the challenges these kids are facing. So we brought up this to lighten up their days,” says Yolandi Steenkamp, one of the students. Another student, Rumano Fredericks, says “we are only working with these kids for a year and our aim and objectives are to leave an impact that will last forever”. Meuriel Motingasays “I love it so much and it is so much fun. In the beginning I was abit scared, I was not sure if we will manage but at the end it was beautiful”.
Among the nine students is Floritha Fleermys who was crowned queen of the RnB at the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) who says “it is very important to be productive and be a objective young person. Working with the children [with disabilities] has profoundly touched her heart. She vows to leave a huge yet humble impact on the lives of the children at Môreson.
Sally Chifwaila comments that they not only want to leave an impact but to bring changes in their lives. Anna Conn from the Legal Aid Clinic notes that this was special compared to other projects because the students had time to be with the kids visiting their classrooms.
Principal of Môreson, Anita Kreft, feels honoured for students to have chosen her school for such a progressive community project. She appeals to the public at large to kindly come and see what can be done with the children. On October 2 the students will host a talent show concert with the children. Hence their kind humble appeal for donations of any kind. Including paint or any materials related to arts.