Allexer Namundjebo
Community members of Omupembe Village in the Okongo Constituency received assistance from the Ohangwena Regional Council to complete a kindergarten.
Okongo Regional Councillor, Lebeus Shipindo explained that after taking office, he visited local traditional leaders and residents to assess their needs.
“My office conducted a feasibility study to determine what each village needs. I was informed that water and schools were their top priorities,” he said.
During his visit to Omupembe Village, he learnt that 50 children were not attending school due to the lack of a kindergarten.
“The community was trying to establish one, and we found it necessary to assist them,” Shipindo added.
He emphasised the importance of early education to prevent children from struggling when they reach Grade 1.
He added that the geographical challenges of the constituency.
“The constituency is deep in the wilderness, with sandy roads that not all vehicles can access. Villages are far apart, and building just one kindergarten in a single village would require children from the next village to travel over 20 kilometres. It’s challenging to build only one school,” he said.
The kindergartens were constructed through the regional council’s Constituency Development Fund, with approval from the Constituency Development Committee based on community needs.
“After the committee met, they approved the construction of two classrooms and a toilet, at a cost of N$547,000, from the Ohangwena Regional Council,” Shipindo said.
He noted that some kindergartens were built with contributions from community members who raised funds with help from various organisations.
“Our ultimate goal is development. We hope that these kindergartens will eventually become government schools, which will make it easier for our children to avoid long commutes,” he said.
At the official handover, community member Rebecca Shalokoshi expressed gratitude for the support received.
“Parents in the village came together to raise money for corrugated iron. We also thank our donors, and some organisations helped us. Our children now have a proper learning environment,” she said.
Another community member, Lucia Haufiku, shared how parents previously had to send their children to Okongo, the only area with schools.
“We even started a kindergarten under a tree, which was combined with a Sunday school. It was a struggle since the sessions were only held on Saturdays. The construction of this building will truly transform our community. We are now hoping that a primary school will be next,” she said.
