Africa-Press – Namibia. MINING company Gratomic Inc this week brought joy to hundreds of parents, school teachers and pupils from J S Herero Primary School, with their donation of N$1 million, as well as 100 school uniforms.
Situated in the Berseba constituency of the //Kharas region, the majority of the school’s pupils live in poverty and are unable to afford uniforms. The Namibian witnessed pupils moving between classrooms barefoot, with many wearing incomplete school uniforms.
“Most of the learners are living in absolute poverty, although that does not affect the school’s performance rate as the school to provides food and some school materials,” said teacher Mbangu Pius.
The donation event was filled with much laughter, joy and excitement, as well as celebratory dances from both the parents and pupils. Present at the event was Gratomic Inc general manager Lynnette Brand, who said it’s part of the mining company’s principles to invest in the community, and the country.
“It is my privilege to announce that Gratomic has pledged N$1 million to the repairs and improvement of J S Herero Primary School. We believe that what we invest in our youth today, we will reap as a country tomorrow,” Brand said.
The company also donated about 300 school bags to the school’s pupils last September. Councillor of the Berseba constituency Jeremias Goeieman stressed the importance of wearing school uniforms, which creates a sense of uniformity.
“School uniforms remain an important part of our education. There is a better sense of unity among learners because everyone has the same dress code,” he said.
Goeieman said with the donation of school uniforms, pupils can spend less time finding something to wear or following fashion trends, and rather focus on their academic performance.
He said the //Kharas region requires any company or investor in the region to fulfil their corporate social responsibility within the community in which they operate.
“Many investors and companies just come in here and leave us with nothing, they take our resources and leave,” he said.
Regional education inspector Cassius Shanjengange said Gratomic chose the right school, which is a home to many in the area. He reiterated that many pupils cannot afford school uniforms, thus the donation would fill the gap for many families.
“We applaud the Gratomic team for acknowledging their social responsibility to the community in the area that they are mining. We do not see this gesture as a responsibility but as a social investment into the lives of the future leaders of this country,” said Shanjengange.
He added that in the midst of the fourth Industrial Revolution, their assistance established a firm foundation. Shanjengange further applauded the Gratomic team for understanding the dire need of the pupils and the core investment made to the Namibian child.
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