Festus Hamalwa
Oshamukweni Combined School in the Ohangwena region will receive a hostel, kitchen and dining hall – thanks to a generous donation by Kalahari Holdings and a non-profit organisation.
Kalahari Holdings will sponsor N$1.5 million towards the project, while Footsteps for Africa donated N$1.4 million for the construction of the school hostel, dining hall and kitchen.
The living condition of Oshamukweni learners, which triggered the two organisations to forward their donations, with the aim of improving the school’s standard, was circulating on social media early this year.
Speaking at the occasion, the Ohangwena governor Walde Ndevashiya expressed gratitude towards Kalahari Holdings and Footsteps for Africa for this important donation, and begged individuals and companies to come on board to assist Oshamukweni with their remaining needs.
He said the donation came at the right time, since the school has been going through various challenges, such as poor accommodation, absence of a dining hall and proper shelter for teachers.
Ndevashiya urged community members to stop lying to journalists that the government is not trying hard to bring services closer to them, as this will create a bad image for the authorities.
He further underlined his office has noted a number of challenges faced by villagers in the Okongo constituency; therefore, the community should remain patient, as his office is finding amicable solutions to the challenges. The donations were received by the deputy director of education in the Ohangwena region Palisha Ngulu, who said these donations will instil self-esteem in the learners and drive them to study for good results to be realised.
Ngulu said Footsteps for Africa has become a household name in Ohangwena, as this would be their second donation after they have donated a fully furnished library at Nghiteke Primary school.
“The government alone cannot meet all the school needs; we need partners like these to come forward and meet the government halfway for the provision of quality education to be realised,” she said.
Ngulu urged Life Skills teachers to give psychological support to learners in need and refer cases that need further attention on time.
She added teachers should stop corporal punishment and being involved in relationships with school girls.
“Learners, stop bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual activities, which may lead to unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. Concentrate on your studies and be watchful with peer pressure and wrong associations that impede your progress,” she advised.
She also urged parents to support learners to remain in school and to visit the school to find out if the kids reach school on time, if they do attend classes and how they are progressing.
Speaking at the donation event, the headman of Oshalumbu village, where Oshamukweni Combined school is located, Matias Ndipolifi, said he will give 40 hectares of land to Oshamukweni school for the construction of the school hostel and the teachers’ houses.
He said, teachers who are in need of land to build their houses should give their names for him to provide them with plots.
“We are tired of poor roads and poor network since Namibia gained its independence. Therefore, I am appealing to our government and the private sector to assist with the construction of proper roads and to install a network tower in our village,” he said.
Tuulikki Nanghelo Nelulu, the representative of Kalahari Holdings, said they first took a familiarisation trip and then made a provision of N$1.5 million in their corporate social responsibility budget of 2021 towards the construction of the school hostel.
“Through this donation, we hope it will make a difference and motivate other organisations to come on board. Most believe that it is only the government’s responsibility to fund the needs of the citizens but it is the responsibility for every Namibian, especially during these difficult times of Covid-19 that has negatively affected the country’s economy,” she said.
The representative of Footsteps for Africa Jordaania Andima also donated reusable pads to school girls at Oshamukweni.