Teaching English began as part of community activist Tulonga Rauna Ndengu’s charity projects after she became overwhelmingly concerned about the growing number of learners failing English in grade 12.
Failing English means these learners cannot proceed to institutions of higher learning, even in situations where a learner obtains ‘A*’ symbols in other subjects.
“The sad reality has been that these learners are mostly from disadvantaged households, where it becomes impossible to afford special classes for them to improve their English,” she told Youth Corner.
Ndengu did a Bachelor of Honours in English Studies at the Namibian University of Science and Technology, majoring in linguistics and children’s literature, and followed that up with a Masters of English and Linguistics.
Understanding that early exposure to the English language is key to learning, she started Kwiinina ABC’s early childhood development programme in 2012.
She now also offers private English tutoring for grade 8s to university level, as well as assists with research methodology and thesis through her company Kwiinina CC.
Ndengu added that she does not have to do a course in early childhood development to develop the package but rather enjoys the privilege of consulting with the available specialists in early childhood education, to ensure that the early childhood package is supported by evidence.
“The packages are aimed not only to expose the children to the English language from an early age but also to give the children the opportunity to build a stronger foundation, with a complete home-schooling package or a complementary one, to ensure that they play purposefully and are ready for primary education after their pre-primary phase,” she explained.
The linguist added that her academic journey has provided her with the confidence to continue writing children’s literature and researching appropriate ways to communicate complex subjects in a children’s language.
“I began tutoring English in 2012. An English Improvement Foundation programme was then initiated in 2013 in order to bring an end to this unfortunate situation. The first two years benefited youth from the Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, and Omusati regions. Achieving a 90% pass rate in 2013 marked the beginning of my realisation of my voice and thoughts toward a career in English. I continued to offer English tutorials while also pursuing my studies,” she further said.
As Kwiinina’s project coordinator, Ndengu works closely with a project administrator and a marking officer.
She said Kwiinina plans to continue finding ways to ensure that one day, humanity will understand and accept that it is only the will that should count “so that every bird that will ever live will be able to freely fly just because it has got wings and is willing to fly”.
“We are privileged to work with youth and children, and we will sow the seed of hope the best way we can. We will do our best to make sure that this young generation gets the opportunities we couldn’t get and become better than we will ever be.”
“We must understand that poverty is real in this country, and we cannot turn a blind eye to those who are able to learn and are willing but cannot afford to pay,” she said.
Interests should be communicated to rauna.t.ndengu@ gma i l . c o m , kwiinina2022@ gmail.com, or 081 686 2525.
- fhamalwa@ nepc.com.na