The Namibia National Students’ Organisation (Nanso) in partnership with local fishing company, Ketameko Fishing, recently donated N$14 500 to the Namutoni Primary School.

The donation was geared towards the school’s feeding programme and buying tracksuits for underprivileged learners.

Through its flagship programme ‘Access to Education Campaign’, Nanso has over the years been instrumental in ensuring they break down the barriers that impede access to education, regardless of income background, and to have an equal opportunity to access education.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Malcolm Kambanzera, the national secretary for education, said they have realised learners’ ability to learn at school can be hindered by an empty stomach, hence their donation of N$10 000 towards the school feeding programme.

“In addition, we have identified a number of learners at the school and ensured they have proper school attire to the tune of N$4 500. This is to deter psychosocial effects that may come in the form of shrouded shame or bullying by their peers,” he said.

Namutoni Primary School is the first recipient of an ongoing N$60 000 Access to Education Campaign in partnership with Ketameko Fishing.

According to Kambanzera, the organisation intends on donating a further N$12 500 to Tutaleni Primary School in Walvis Bay, and N$12 500 to Erundu Combined School in Oshakati for similar objectives. “As part of understanding that learners form part of the broader society’s ills, Nanso will revive the Fix-My-Home project that intends to refurbish or construct conducive living spaces for learners and their families. The first recipients will be identified from the Grootfontein informal areas. An amount of N$20 000 has been committed by Ketameko Fishing.”

Kambanzera reiterates that the student organisation remains committed to ensuring that the Namibian child has access to education.

“We recognise and continue to address social ills that impede such access.”

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na