A local investment company has come to the aid of a ten-year-old boy and pupil of Dr Albert Kawana Combined School by donating a wheelchair for his daily use.
For years, Shekutamba Michael had to rely on his devoted father to carry him to and from school every day.
His hope of running around with fellow children was a wish that seemed elusive for a very long time.
However, Stanlib Namibia came to the rescue by donating a wheelchair, valued at N$8 000.
The donation was realised after the company’s financial planner Phillip Ashimbanga came across Michael crawling on his way home from school.
Ashimbanga, who also hails from the same village as Michael, brought the grade 4 pupil’s plight to the attention of his superiors, who immediately agreed to donate a wheelchair.
“I am calling on everyone to come on board and assist disabled learners because there are many learners in schools who are in need of a wheelchair,” said Ashimbanga.
He further said they are looking forward to assisting learners with disabilities.
On his part, Michael, who was born with a disability, said he is very thankful for the gesture.
“I will not be crawling anymore and miss my classes. I am, however, worried about the rainy season because I won’t be able to use my wheelchair when the area is flooded. His father Johannes Michael said it was not an easy task to carry his son to school for five consecutive days of the week.”
“I am, therefore, appealing to the ministry of education to assist by moving my son to a school with hostel so he doesn’t travel long distances to and from school,” he said.