Care beyond the classroom

The Forum for African Women Educationalists in Namibia's (FAWENA) Training of Trainers workshop kicked off last week to equip Regional AIDS Committees for Education (RACE) coordinators from all 14 regions with the tools needed to deliver power sessions to the 317 beneficiaries of the Standard Bank Blue Child Champion Project. These tools are essential for providing functional psychological support to orphans, vulnerable children and learners from marginalised communities.Facilitator Anthony Williams Auchab led the sessions. “We want impact assessment of workshops, not just stats of how many people attended,” he said. “This workshop is not just about logistics or checklists. It’s about preparing our teams to lead with empathy, clarity and purpose,” Chief Education Officer Irene Garthoff said during the keynote address.This workshop aligns with FAWENA's mission, which is to work towards positive societal attitudes, policies and practices that ensure girls have equitable access, retention, performance and quality education. Additionally, the Blue Child Champion Programme, launched in partnership with Standard Bank, seeks to empower vulnerable learners by addressing not just academic needs, but also emotional and psychological well-being.By training RACE coordinators, the programme aims to build a sustainable support network that extends beyond the classroom.According to Garthoff, this programme is a supplementary initiative for what teachers and guidance counsellors are already practising. “Our existing guidance curriculum is not necessarily a bad one,” she added.Upon conclusion, the newly equipped coordinators will begin rolling out power sessions in their respective regions. The long-term goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where every child, regardless of background, can thrive, both in their academics and in holistic development.

Care beyond the classroom

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-29

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Care beyond the classroom

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-29

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