LUHONONO – For many years, people in the flood-prone Kabbe constituency of the Zambezi region had sleepless nights about the safety of their children when they went to school.

For years, children had to walk long distances, while others stayed in makeshift structures to be near school.

However, this will now be a thing of the past for the residents of Luhonono and other villages in the Kabbe North constituency after Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah inaugurated a state-of-the-art hostel at Schuckmansburg Combined School on Friday.

She said the opening of the hostel will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges people living in flood-prone areas faced, particularly during rainy and flood seasons.

“The construction of this hostel at Luhonono directly addresses these challenges, creating a stable and secure environment where pupils can thrive, even in the face of natural adversity,” she said.

The building, which cost the government about N$106.9 million, has hostel blocks for both girls and boys, ablution facilities, a dining hall and the matron’s accommodation.

“This is well-spent money, as all of us are going to benefit from it. We are not merely opening a hostel, we are opening doors for new opportunities. As we all know, hostels have a lot of advantages, one of which is that you are living closer to school. You do not travel long distances, and security risks are also minimised. Therefore, we should see ourselves as being the lucky ones, and appreciate that our government is a caring government,” noted the Vice President.

Education minister Anna Nghipondoka said she was heartbroken when she visited Schuckmansburg in 2021.

At the time, she saw the makeshift structures children were staying in.

“My heart was heavy when I saw a six-year-old child living in makeshift accommodation without parental supervision. It was a moment that moved me deeply, as a minister and as a mother. In fact, I literally cried. This experience ignited a fierce determination to prioritise the needs of the children of Sckuckmansburg, and ensure they receive the protection and comfort they deserve. Today, we celebrate not just the commissioning of the building, but the restoration of dignity and hope for our children,” she added.

The minister noted that the initial construction of the hostel began in August 2016, “but faced obstacles that delayed its completion. Accessibility issues, poor road conditions and seasonal floods hindered progress. Despite our best efforts, the contract had to be terminated due to non-performance.”

In September 2022, August 26 was awarded the tender to complete the project, and “they embraced the challenge, demonstrating unwavering commitment and successfully completing the project in the scheduled 24 months, and within budget.”

*Aaron Mushaukua is an information officer for MICT in the Zambezi region.