Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Late President Hage Geingo once said, ‘While you wait for the government, why don’t you put one pole here, one pole there, one there, and one pole there, and put blikkies on top?”.
A 26-year-old Jessica Amoonga from Omindaba village in Onesi constituency took this advice and went a step further.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses and schools to shut down, Amoonga found herself in a situation that would change the course of her life.
At the time she was running a guesthouse.
When the guesthouse ceased its operation as a result of the pandemic, Jessica took on the responsibility of educating children in the village.
“I was at home during the pandemic when my guest house had to shut down. My nephews and nieces were staying with me because schools were closed, so I started teaching them at home,” Amoonga said.
The closure of schools left many children without formal education, and Jessica saw an opportunity.
She said as she witnessed the children’s eagerness to learn, she decided to transform her informal teaching into a full-time school.
“I thought, why not start my own school? The children loved learning, and I had the space for it,” she said.
Using her guest house as a base, Cassie Jessica Private School now accommodates 40 children, with 25 living in the hostel and the remaining 15 attending from their homes.
The school currently offers pre-primary and grade one classes, with plans to expand up to grade six in the future.
The school’s curriculum follows the Namibian education system, covering subjects such as English, mathematics, arts, and religion.
The school also teaches vocational skills such as carpentry and agriculture.
“We also include physical education, and the children take part in swimming lessons,” Amoonga said.
Amoonga said the school has been a lifeline for children from low-income families in the village.
“The preprimary and kindergarten children from the community don’t pay school fees, although they are responsible for purchasing their uniforms and stationery,” Amoonga noted.
Amoonga’s efforts align with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture’s recent initiatives, including the announcement by executive director Sanet Steenkamp of plans to build 512 new classrooms nationwide.
Steenkamp stated that the ministry constructed about 510 classrooms in high-demand areas last year to address infrastructural needs and ensure that pupils do not have to travel long distances to school.
Amoonga has taken it upon herself to create opportunities for children in her community, while the ministry focuses on expanding classroom availability.
The school’s philosophy, according to her, is based on encouraging children to be free-spirited while instilling values of discipline, routine, and spirituality.
“We teach them life skills, self-care, and how to be God-fearing,” she said.
While the school has grown with support from parents and board members, Amoonga pointed out that it has not yet secured external sponsorship.
“Parents are our biggest supporters. They contribute to the children’s education and even assist the less fortunate among us,” she said.
Running the school has not been without challenges.
Amoonga highlighted issues such as providing food for the children, particularly those who don’t stay at the hostel.
“At first, some children arrived without food, so we had to make sure we fed everyone. Now, parents contribute by providing food, and we also buy it ourselves,” she explained.
Weather-related problems have also affected the school.
“During the rainy season, our classrooms flooded, and everything, including the books, got soaked. We’re now working on relocating the school to address these issues,” she added.
Amoonga’s vision for Cassie Jessica Private School extends beyond education. She aims to create a space where the entire community can learn and grow.
“I want the whole community involved, including parents and grandparents. The goal is to uplift everyone,” she stated.
Despite the challenges, Amoonga remains optimistic about the school’s future.
“Parents tell me how much their children have improved—learning English, making their beds, and helping around the house. That’s how I know we are making an impact,” she concluded.
Efforts to reach Onesie Constituency councillor Titus Kanyele for comment remained futile by the time of publication.
