Van Wyk Amutenya
Dagbreek Resource School, a renowned institution providing education to intellectually-challenged learners, last week received a generous donation from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). The donation, comprising essential educational equipment, woodwork tools, tables and chairs, is aimed at empowering learners with valuable skills.
Dagbreek Resource School plays a crucial role in offering education to children from various parts of Namibia with intellectual disabilities, particularly those hailing from vulnerable communities.
Principal Paul du Plessis shared his vision for the learners during a heartfelt address. “Our vision for you is to find purpose in life or your career.” He emphasised that this donation not only creates opportunities and a brighter future for the learners, but also enables them to earn and save money.
“With this donation, we can now accommodate more learners. Thanks to the tables and chairs donated by TİKA, we can create a conducive learning environment and facilitate the classes effectively”, Du Plessis beamed.
During the event, Senior Special Education Officer Regina Hausiku highlighted the pressing need for chairs, desks and assistive devices at the school. Currently, they accommodate 145 enrolled learners, comprising 82 boys and 63 girls, all of whom require suitable furniture to comfortably carry out their schoolwork.
Hausiku expressed confidence in the transformative power of this donation, stating; “This donation will help us change the future of many underprivileged kids by providing them with a conducive learning environment.” She also emphasised that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture is committed to achieving inclusive and equitable quality education for all learners in the country. Donations such as this thus play a significant role in realising these goals.
Hausiku then urged TİKA to extend its services to all regions in Namibia, allowing children with disabilities across the country to benefit from similar donations.
Expressing her delight, Turkish Ambassador Feral Cekerek said “the equipment donated by TİKA will equip learners with woodworking skills, enabling them to earn from their experiences even after their school life”.
“I am very happy to be a part of this beautiful organisation, and I hope we will continue our cooperation with Dagbreek School. It has been an unforgettable time during my stay in Namibia”, she noted.
TIKA organiser Aydin Apagdin highlighted that the agency had successfully completed 15 projects across Namibia, ranging from constructing additional blocks to building hostels, and donating educational equipment to enhance learners’ skills.
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