Ester Mbathera
The Hollard Namibia Group renewed its three-year sponsorship of N$750 000 for the Amos Meerkat School Project, which prepares farm and informal settlement children for primary education through a specialised curriculum.
This renewed commitment will begin in the 2025 financial year.
Hollard’s spokesperson, Sam Kauapirua, said the renewed financial support is a testament to the project’s remarkable achievements and its crucial role in shaping the future of our nation’s youth.
“Early Childhood Development (ECD) plays a pivotal role in preparing children for a successful school career and life beyond. In the African context, quality ECD is particularly crucial as it helps break the cycle of poverty, addresses developmental delays, and reduces inequality. The Amos Meerkat School Project is especially valuable for children who would otherwise have no access to ECD due to their remote locations on farms or in informal settlements across Namibia,” he said.
According to Kauapirua, the sponsorship will spread over three years, allowing the Amos Meerkat School Project to reach more farming communities and informal settlements throughout Namibia.
“It will also go towards enhancing the specialised curriculum to meet evolving educational needs, provide additional resources and training for educators, and open more schools to increase its footprint across our country,” he said.
The project is the brainchild of Judy Wiese, a farmer’s wife, who realised the need among farm children in the Witvlei settlement area, east of Windhoek, in 2013.
It has been instrumental in bridging the educational gap for children in rural farming communities and informal settlements, providing them with essential skills and knowledge to succeed in primary school and beyond.
Kauapirura added that Hollard Namibia’s involvement in this project aligns with their business philosophy of ‘securing better futures for all Namibians.’
“By investing in early childhood education, we’re not just preparing children for school; we’re laying the foundation for their lifelong success and contributing to the overall development of our nation,” he said.
The latest sponsorship to the Amos Meerkat School Project brings the total contribution to N$3 million over a period of ten years.
