Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA’S reigning queen Chelsi Shikongo is currently visiting schools in northern Namibia as part of her duties as Miss Namibia. Shikongo, who is on a trip to schools in the four regions, on Monday visited the Circle of Hope Private Academy (Coha) in Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.
The school caters to children living with autism and currently has 15 learners. Shikongo arrived at the school in the company of her mother, Mary, and a friend.
The beauty queen was at the school to see how she can assist children living with autism to cope with an environment that is often out of sync with their abilities.
She called on people who work with at animal shelters and SPCA Namibia to visit the school so that learners who are loners or find it difficult to communicate and would rather keep to themselves can have a friend in animals.
“This can be their support system as some children really communicate better with a support pet. I want to raise awareness about children living with autism and how they should be treated, seen, loved and supported all over the world. The children should know that I care about them and they exist and their voices matter,” she said.
The school is run by founder Victoria Joel, who also works to create awareness on autism. Joel receives help and support from one of the learner’s parents, Lovisa Amon.
Shikongo promised Joel that she will be returning to the school next year to see that the support animal project is off the ground, as well as the construction of a playground and garden for the learners to stay active.
Shikongo started a GoFundMe campaign, which she said was started for her friends outside the country to pledge funds towards her trip to Miss Universe in December.
Her goal is to collect U$14 000 and by yesterday afternoon, she was standing at U$125. She once again used the occasion to ask Namibians willing and able to assist her raise N$500 000 needed for the Miss Universe trip.
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