Terence Mukasa
Namibia’s Miss World 2021 contestant Annerie Maré launched her Beauty With a Purpose project in collaboration with Agra ProVision to support a feeding scheme in Kamanjab, Kunene region, over the weekend.
Working with Agra ProVision, Maré managed to successfully put up a hydroponic system for the pre-primary boarding school, located some 55 kilometres from Kamanjab in the Kunene region.
In addition, Kamanjab drilling and Wagner Bonsmaras helped to install a borehole in a resettlement near an old age home and a school to make clean water accessible to those who had to walk long distances in search of water.
Maré, the first runner-up in this year’s Miss Namibia beauty pageant, told New Era on Saturday that the project seeks to set and improve the region’s accessibility to clean water and food, especially during the severe difficult and devastating drought seasons, whereas, in the past, the region had difficulties accessing clean water.
“Growing up, I always experience the laughter of when a village would get water from a borehole or the tears when they don’t – and their futures depended on it,” she said.
As a child, Maré travelled with her father, helping communities drill for water.
During that time, she realised there was a specific school around that area that struggled to get food and water supply.
“I wanted to change that and be able to provide the means to better nutrition and, thus, to better education,” she added.
Agra’s brand and communications manager Pieter Stoman said Agra is proud to be associated with the project – and that by setting up this self-sustainable hydrogen vegetable garden at the Blydskap Mission school in Kamanjab, Agra is able to offer more Namibians the opportunity of a better life.
“The system is easy to use, water efficient and environmentally friendly, and will allow the community to grow fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables long-term to enrich the quality of their diet,” said Stoman.
In 2012, she was doing food drives and local visits at the orphanages in her hometown.
The young and talented model has been an inspiration to the people of Kamanjab and Namibia at large. – terencelota12@gmail.com