Africa-Press – Namibia. SEVEN-year-old *Shakuka escaped death when his mother tried to strangle him earlier this year in Windhoek. Sadly, his baby sister did not.
SEVEN-year-old *Shakuka escaped death when his mother tried to strangle him earlier this year in Windhoek. Sadly, his baby sister did not.
His 28-year-old mother is currently in custody for the alleged murder of his 10-day-old sister. Police spokesperson Silas Shipandeni said after the woman allegedly murdered the girl, she attempted to strangle Shakuka but his grandmother intervened and rescued him.
Family members told The Namibian that Shakuka is still traumatised and narrates his ordeal to anyone he meets.
Shakuka is one of 195 pupils of Eluwa Resource School in the Oshana region.
Since the school was built about 50 years ago, pupils have faced many challenges, such as classrooms without windows.
It is due to this that the government of Japan extended a donation of US$63 581 (about N$1,15 million) to build a new school block consisting of four permanent classrooms.
Acting principal Ndinelago Nangolo, during a familiarisation field tour with the new Japanese ambassador recently, said the school’s pupils are struggling.
“It was not easy to teach pupils who need special care in dilapidated classrooms. We are indeed grateful that the special needs of our pupils were met by the government and the people of Japan. Now they can learn critical life skills such as information, communication technology, to become self-reliant in the information age,” Nangolo said.
She said Shakuka is one of the lucky pupils to benefit from the donation.
“He was born with hearing challenges, but I was made to believe he never attended a formal school or institution for the hearing impaired. So, with him we are starting from scratch. He really needs to concentrate and the design of the new classrooms makes the teachers’ jobs easier,” she said.
Japanese ambassador Hisao Nishimaki said so far Japan has completed 59 school projects at a cost of approximately N$70 million since 1997.
“This really makes me happy to see the smiles on the children’s faces and I’m proud of how the principals, teachers and the learners are keeping the classes so neat and clean. The partnership is aimed at supporting the government of Namibia in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Nishimaki and his delegation visited four schools.
At Eluwa Resource School and Okeeholongo Primary School in the Omusati region, they built two permanent classrooms, a latrine block and one storeroom.
At David Shingo Combined School in the Ondobe constituency, four permanent classrooms and one storeroom worth US$65 031 were built. The school was established in 1976 and is situated near the border of Angola, and has 550 pupils from pre-primary to Grade 11.
Lastly, the delegation visited Egambo Combined School, established in 1955. The school has 300 pupils, from pre-primary to Grade 9, and 12 teachers.
School principal Ambrosius Ndemufayo said due to a shortage of classrooms, some pupils have been studying in corrugated iron structures and classrooms made of mud.
He said the school recently built their much-needed kitchen, using the balance of funds donated by Japan.
Meanwhile, Oshana governor Elia Irimari expressed gratitude to Japan, saying he strongly believes it’s important to share in the bright future of the Namibian child through equitable quality education.
*Not his real name
His 28-year-old mother is currently in custody for the alleged murder of his 10-day-old sister. Police spokesperson Silas Shipandeni said after the woman allegedly murdered the girl, she attempted to strangle Shakuka but his grandmother intervened and rescued him.
Family members told The Namibian that Shakuka is still traumatised and narrates his ordeal to anyone he meets.
Shakuka is one of 195 pupils of Eluwa Resource School in the Oshana region.
Since the school was built about 50 years ago, pupils have faced many challenges, such as classrooms without windows.
It is due to this that the government of Japan extended a donation of US$63 581 (about N$1,15 million) to build a new school block consisting of four permanent classrooms.
Acting principal Ndinelago Nangolo, during a familiarisation field tour with the new Japanese ambassador recently, said the school’s pupils are struggling.
“It was not easy to teach pupils who need special care in dilapidated classrooms. We are indeed grateful that the special needs of our pupils were met by the government and the people of Japan. Now they can learn critical life skills such as information, communication technology, to become self-reliant in the information age,” Nangolo said.
She said Shakuka is one of the lucky pupils to benefit from the donation.
“He was born with hearing challenges, but I was made to believe he never attended a formal school or institution for the hearing impaired. So, with him we are starting from scratch. He really needs to concentrate and the design of the new classrooms makes the teachers’ jobs easier,” she said.
Japanese ambassador Hisao Nishimaki said so far Japan has completed 59 school projects at a cost of approximately N$70 million since 1997.
“This really makes me happy to see the smiles on the children’s faces and I’m proud of how the principals, teachers and the learners are keeping the classes so neat and clean. The partnership is aimed at supporting the government of Namibia in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Nishimaki and his delegation visited four schools.
At Eluwa Resource School and Okeeholongo Primary School in the Omusati region, they built two permanent classrooms, a latrine block and one storeroom.
At David Shingo Combined School in the Ondobe constituency, four permanent classrooms and one storeroom worth US$65 031 were built. The school was established in 1976 and is situated near the border of Angola, and has 550 pupils from pre-primary to Grade 11.
Lastly, the delegation visited Egambo Combined School, established in 1955. The school has 300 pupils, from pre-primary to Grade 9, and 12 teachers.
School principal Ambrosius Ndemufayo said due to a shortage of classrooms, some pupils have been studying in corrugated iron structures and classrooms made of mud.
He said the school recently built their much-needed kitchen, using the balance of funds donated by Japan.
Meanwhile, Oshana governor Elia Irimari expressed gratitude to Japan, saying he strongly believes it’s important to share in the bright future of the Namibian child through equitable quality education.
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