Coming together for the Namibian Child

Let’s Unite, in partnership with Standard Bank, last week handed over stationery to schools in the Otjozondjupa Region and part of the Kunene Region.
Mariselle Stofberg
ESTER KAMATI AT OTJIWARONGO

In one day, six schools became recipients of stationery donated by Standard Bank and Let’s Unite in an attempt to ease the burden on parents and ensure that learners are not left at a disadvantage.

Speaking at the handover at Otjiwarongo’s Orwetoveni Primary School, Let’s Unite co-founder and local musician DJ Castro said he was glad that Standard Bank came on board to support the project, which started five years ago with stationery donations from the community which the organisation would then hand over to schools at Otjiwarongo. He added that due to this new collaboration, the project now extends to other parts of the region to benefit more children.

DJ Castro added that he believes in giving back to the community from which he came, adding that “one hand washes the other”. He also shared that he is honoured each time he is able to “put a smile on the face of a person who cannot afford something and who is willing to take their education forward but can’t”.

The Let’s Unite project last year collected N$31 000 worth of stationery.

Standard Bank Namibia public relations officer Isack Hamata stated that Covid-19 has created a problem for many. “Some of our parents lost their jobs and as a result can’t even put food on the table, let alone buy a pen.

“One of the people who are benefiting today can become a leader tomorrow. The moment we withhold that pen or that notepad from him or her, we are denying him or her the opportunity to go further and Namibia would not benefit from what that person is able to do for us”.

A total of N$220 000 has been allocated for the stationary items. “We hope that these will be put to good use,” Hamata said.

In the coming weeks, the team aims to hand over donations to schools at Otavi, Grootfontein and Tsumkwe.

The acting principal of Orwetoweni Primary School, Tjitjahoro Uaaka, received the donation. “These things we received today came at just the right time,” she said, explaining that the school had plans to purchase more stationery to complement what the learners had brought.

The schools that have benefitted include Marsen Primary School at Outjo, Outjo Secondary School, Paresis Secondary School at Otjiwarongo, Orwetoweni Primary School and Okakarara primary and secondary schools.