Auleria Wakudumo

Deep in the Okongo constituency of Ohangwena region, the spirit of unity and determination has transformed Tileinge Andima Combined School, formerly known as Shamukweni Combined School from a modest collection of thatched and corrugated iron shelters into a proud, fully furnished community hostel. 

This transformation, driven by parents, community members, the private sector, and government support, stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when people work together for a shared vision, education and dignity for every child. 

The school’s hostel had a humble beginning when concerned parents, worried about their children walking up to 20 kilometres to and from school each day, decided to build small shacks near the classrooms. 

What started with one learner quickly became a community effort. Each parent constructed a small room for their child, and the learners cooked for themselves after long days of classes. 

“It was difficult, not all parents could afford to erect shacks for their children; Nevertheless, everyone tried their best because they wanted  their children to learn,” recalled school principal Werner Nangolo, who joined the school in March 2020, just a week before the Covid-19 lockdown. 

Despite harsh conditions and limited space, and no proper cooking facilities, the community never gave up. Their perseverance caught the attention of private sector partners, who stepped in to help bring lasting change. 

Partnership 

The Okongo constituency councilor, Efraim Shipindo stated that the transformation began in 2021 when Kalahari Holdings, Food Step Africa, and Greywell Properties joined forces with the school and community to build two hostel blocks, one for boys and one for girls-along with a kitchen and library. 

Today, the hostel accommodates 64 learners, evenly split between boys and girls. 

“It truly took a village to move from thatched roofs to corrugated iron, and now to a fully furnished hostel,” he commended the collective effort. 

The school now also has a borehole, providing clean water to both learners and the nearby community, as well as electricity that has improved learning and living conditions. 

Progress and perseverance 

Even before the private sector’s help, the school had made small but meaningful strides. Teachers and parents worked hand in hand to construct additional corrugated rooms and even converted one classroom into a library. A makeshift kitchen and a shack hall followed, reflecting the community’s commitment to continuous improvement. 

The government also stepped in, approving a N$22 subsidy per learner towards the end of the first semester last year. 

“We appreciate what the government did. Learners can now concentrate on their studies as they no longer have to cook for themselves,” the principal said. 

Challenges and hope 

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. The hostel is already full, and demand continues to grow. The principal said that they have more learners in need of accommodation, but they have no choice as they cannot send children back home. 

The school, together with parents, still buys food and pays for the cooks and hostel matron from their own contributions. Additionally, four classes are still made of corrugated iron, and teachers often teach in scorching heat. 

Yet, the spirit of Tileinge Andima remains unbroken.“Our teachers are determined to take whatever it costs for our learners,” Nangolo said proudly. 

The school is appealing to individuals, private companies, and the government to help them expand the hostel and build more classrooms so that every learner can learn in comfort. 

What started as a desperate act of love, a few shacks for children who walked long distances has become a story of progress, unity, and hope. 

Tileinge Andima Combined School now stands as a symbol of what communities can achieve when they believe in the power of education and work together for the future of their children. 

-wakudumoauleria@gmail.com