Shell assists hearing-impaired kids

Tunohole Mungoba
Shell Namibia, Namcor and the mines and energy ministry have demonstrated their commitment to both education and road safety, by supporting Namibia’s only pre-school for the hearing-impaired.

Small children are among the most vulnerable users of the country’s roads, and deaf children even more so.

For this reason, the children attending the CLaSH pre-school are transported between their homes and school via a registered transportation company, to minimise their road exposure.

Shell Namibia, the operator of Petroleum Exploration Licence 39 (PEL39), together with its joint-venture partners, has committed to cover the costs of the transportation (N$100 000) for a year.

Shell country chairperson, Dennis Zekveld, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, describing it as one that Shell is proud to support.

“Shell takes its social investment responsibilities seriously, and actively seeks ways in which it can make a positive difference in Namibia,” he said. “We are impressed with the value of the work of the CLaSH pre-school, and how it prepares disadvantaged children for a successful school career. We are proud to support early childhood education and road safety in Namibia.”

The early learning school for deaf children aged three to six years is one of the key projects of CLaSH (the Association for Children with Language, Speech and Hearing Impairments of Namibia). Twelve children attend the school, which is the only one of its kind in the country.

Quality schooling can contribute to a prosperous Namibia, and has a role to play in addressing poverty and inequality.