Kavango school needs N$400 to access water

A community in Kavango East is struggling to raise the remaining N$400 needed to connect to a nearby dam for water supply, underscoring the socioeconomic challenges faced by many in Namibia. Innocentia Likoro Kindergarten, a vibrant early childhood education centre serving the rural communities of Mbambi and Mukuvi – about 140 km east of Rundu in the Ndiyona constituency of the Kavango East Region – has also appealed to government and the public for assistance in constructing proper classrooms, in addition to other needs.Speaking to Namibian Sun on Wednesday, volunteer teacher Eusebius Kudumo said: "While we are making efforts on our own, we still need external support."Kudumo explained that the small kindergarten is situated close to a nearby dam "that we hope to use, but it has not yet been connected to the water supply. The main issue is the fee required to complete the connection, which is N$1 400. So far, the community and parents have contributed N$1 000, but we still need N$400 more."He said the kindergarten hopes that by reaching out, "someone might be willing to help us complete the water connection and, more importantly, assist us in building a permanent school structure for the children."Too hot, too cold Currently, the school hosts the 37 enrolled youngsters in a zinc shack, which presents several challenges."During summer, the heat becomes unbearable, making it difficult for children to stay inside for long periods. In winter, the cold is extreme, especially when the zinc structure is exposed to low temperatures. In hot weather, children often fall asleep due to the heat, which disrupts learning,” Kudumo explained. He highlighted that these, among other challenges, are not conducive to a proper learning environment for children."Initially, the community, including parents, played a key role in bringing the school to life. When we first started, I sought help and a generous woman responded after seeing our appeal on social media. She helped us purchase zinc sheets, which we used to construct our first operational space," he said."Now, more children are joining the school, which is why we came up with the idea of seeking assistance. We need support from a company or any individual willing to help us build a permanent structure."Struggling to meet financial demandsIn a recent written appeal to community activist Michael Amushelelo, the kindergarten detailed the struggles they face in maintaining operations."We have enrolled 37 children. As you may know, running a kindergarten involves various expenses. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, we are struggling to meet all our financial needs. The biggest challenge we face is that the school is made of corrugated iron sheets, making it unbearably hot in summer and freezing cold in winter."This kindergarten is in a rural area where children have no access to proper learning facilities. Therefore, we are calling on any organisation, company, stakeholder or NGO to assist us in building a better structure that will allow these young children to learn in a suitable environment,” the letter read.In addition, the school is in urgent need of fencing for the schoolyard.“Parents from the community volunteer to clean the environment and maintain the space," Kudumo noted. But more is needed. He underlined that the kindergarten and community will appreciate any company or individual willing to support this initiative and help improve the lives of Namibian children.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Kavango school needs N$400 to access water

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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Kavango school needs N$400 to access water

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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