Maria David
PEP Stores and Omulunga Radio donated school uniforms and sporting gear to Ekoka Combined School in the Okongo constituency, Ohangwena Region.
The uniforms, valued at N$10,000, include school shoes, socks, T-shirts, trousers, and skirts, while the sporting gear is valued at N$6,000.
The donations also included sanitary pads.
During the handover in Ongwediva on Monday, Omulunga Station Manager Simon Mundandala said investments in Namibian children, their education, and their welfare benefit the entire nation.
According to Mundandala, they had a total budget of over N$1,000,000 for the Back-to-School drive, from which Ekoka Combined School was selected on merit.
“We need to encourage learners at all levels by making opportunities available for all. Circumstances sometimes affect academic performance, and considering this factor could prove vital,” he said.
Mundandala emphasized that the goal is to ensure that every Namibian child has an equal opportunity to study in a conducive environment without feeling ashamed of what they wear.
Simon Verner, a Grade 5 learner, indicated that he used to be laughed at by his fellow schoolmates because he had no shoes or proper uniform.
Verner said that, in many cases, being laughed at discouraged him from going to school.
School Principal Simon Nauyoma said the school has a learner enrollment of 365 and offers education from Pre-Grade to Grade 9.
Nauyoma added that of those learners, about 30 will benefit from the sponsorship.
He stressed that more learners are in need of assistance.
