By Staff Writer
EENHANA
Namdeb recently underlined its commitment to the improvement of the quality of life of communities in rural areas by donating mattresses and blankets to needy and disabled children.
The donation from the alluvial diamond giant to the Association for Children with Language, Speech and Hearing Impairment of Namibia (ClaSH) was in response to an appeal for help.
Namdeb says the donation was part of its social responsibility and a token of appreciation for the commitment being shown by the majority of its employees who hail from the Ohangwena Region.
Named after the Governor of the Ohangwena Region, Usko Nghaamwa, the project houses 16 deaf children, two teachers and two matrons.
On August 29 2007, Namdeb Group External Affairs & Corporate Communications Manager Hilifa Mbako and Senior Communications Officer, Anne-Nora Lameck, visited the Centre as part of an extended stakeholder engagement visit to the northern regions.
Namdeb has been associated with CLaSH for many years and has contributed immensely to it needs, both nationally and at remote community level.
At the beginning of 2007, N$50,000 went towards the renovation of an old port cabin into a proper building that now serves as an activity centre and accommodation unit for the children and teachers of CLaSH at Eenhana.
The NSF Secretariat who visited the project in June this year and reported to the Namdeb Social Fund Committee that four to five children were sharing single mattresses at ClaSH, prompted the most recent donation.
It was then agreed to purchase 30 mattresses and blankets for this project.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mbako commended all the organisations, parents and volunteers involved in assisting the needy children as well as the teachers who are working tirelessly to brighten up the future of these children.
“The future of these children lies in the teacher’s hands.
“Give them knowledge and teach them skills that will be part of them forever,” said Mbako at the handover ceremony.
At the same occasion, Brighton Simasiku, CLaSH co-ordinator, thanked Namdeb for its support and expressed the hope that Namdeb would continue to be a partner in this social project.
He reiterated that before Namdeb renovated the building, learners and teachers used to share a small corrugated structure, which was their sleeping room and storeroom at the same time.
This corrugated structure is situated near the entrance of the premises and is now used as the classroom.
He said that this was the right time to donate such items, because children used to share single mattresses and blankets and now each is having his/or her own.
One could clearly see the excitement of the children when each received a blanket and a mattress.
Teachers, parents and representatives from various government ministries represented at Eenhana attended the handover ceremony.