By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK It is not every day that rural school children get the chance to visit places outside of their own town. As a result, many young people have never been to other parts of the country, let alone the sea. However, for the school children of Kransneus Primary School, located some 50 km south of Windhoek, Lady Luck has smiled on them. This week sees them visiting the western part of the country, thanks to a donation of N$8 000. This early generous Christmas gift was made by the chairman of four Namibian companies, Aaron Mushimba, who saw the need and importance for these children to undertake an educational tour. The four associate companies are Independence Catering, PE Minerals, Mukorob Fishing and Avril Payment Solution (Pty) Limited. Mushimba explained that after the Kransneus Primary School authorities contacted the company for help towards a possible tour to the western part of the country during the course of this week, the companies were all too eager to help as part of their corporate social responsibility. “These school children would be given an opportunity to learn more about the various fauna and flora of western Namibia as well as the cultures and traditions of the inhabitants of that part of our country. “Things that some of us adults did not experience ourselves, until recently,” said Mushimba. Since the majority of the companies that provided the donation operate in the south and western parts of the country, the Kransneus children will also have the chance to be exposed to important economic activities such as fishing and mining, at Rosh Pinah, LÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼deritz and Walvis Bay. This way, they will also learn more about the economic and business developments that could help them in their school curricula. In view of this, Mushimba appealed to other businesses in the country to continuously reach out to less fortunate school children who are in need of educational and uplifting projects for their academic progress. In response, acting principal of Kransneus Primary School, Fransina Lea Gaoes, expressed sincere gratitude for the generous donation. The farm community of Kransneus has tried by all means to provide the best education for their children, but funding for trips was hard to come by. In light of this, Gaoes said the kind gesture came at the right time. “Although the majority of the learners are from poor and disadvantaged farming and rural communities, they have proven themselves to be eager and committed to learn very hard to get an education that would assist in improving their living conditions and standards as well as those of other members of their communities,” added Gaoes. The week-long trip is viewed as a worthwhile experience by both learners and teachers.