Zebaldt Ngaruka
THE Ongombe Farmers’ Association recently donated N$25 000 to the Okamatapati Combined School in the Otjozondjupa region as their contribution to the education of the Namibian child.
The chairperson of Ongombe Farmers’ Association (OFA) Chris Tuvingo Katjitundu said the government cannot cater for all educational needs of schools alone.
“This is the beginning, and we will make it a yearly thing as we farmers, are also parents and we have to meet the government halfway,” Katjitundu added.
He said the donation had come from the association’s commission received from cattle auctions.
“We have started and every year, we will make sure our association plays its part in the educational development of Okamatapati. This is the only school we have in our area, and our focus is to assist as far as we can,” Katjitundu said.
Okamatapati Combined School is situated about 100km east of Okakarara, and accommodates 950 pupils.
The principal, Benfried Uendjipa Kaapehi, told New Era the donation brings a huge relief to the school and will make a difference in accessing their
needs.
He added that the school appreciates the donation from OFA and gave an assurance that it will be used for a good cause.
“This gratuity is earmarked for buying stationery for Grades 0 up to seven next year. We will not issue stationery lists for those grades next year; parents will only pay school registration and hostel fees in 2024,” assured Kaapehi.
The principal highlighted the need for a science lab for grades 10 and 11.
“This is very important as pupils only do theory and no practicals and we need a computer lab where they can do research,” he added.
The principal urged other stakeholders to come on board and assist the school and commended farmers who sell their cattle at OFA auctions. “The population is increasing; we have many needs from the school and the hostel. The mattresses, beds, tables, and chairs are old, and we only rely on the government for these,” he explained. – zngaruka@yahoo.com