Did you know that due to poverty and the lack of opportunities, just 9% of young people in Namibia are able to go to university?
Not enough young men and women are reaching their full potential.
OUR PASSION, OUR COMMITMENT
Here at the Namibia Project, we believe strongly that a decent education is a basic human right for all. In our opinion, with commitment and hard work, any learner from anywhere should be given the chance to work towards their chosen career. This helps them, their family and of course, the wider community.
The charity’s vision, “Creating Life Chances” is about shaping a sustainable future for vulnerable and disadvantaged people - and education is at its heart.
We’re in good company. We agree with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Along with their targets for good health, safety and shelter, education is a primary human right of each and every person on our planet.
We know that the students and parents of ACS Cobham International School are passionate about creating change. Sharing these goal and vision has helped to deliver our successes.
INTRODUCING OUR 2019 SCHOLARSHIPS PROJECT:
FROM VILLAGE…TO UNIVERSITY
What is it all about, and what did we do?
In 2016, the cultural and academic exchange between ACS and Dr. Alpo Mauno Mbamba JS School was a catalyst: it quickly became obvious that many learners at the school not only had the ability to further their education, but also a strong desire to do so.
The sticking point?
Challenging, life-limiting circumstances. Situations, mainly driven by poverty that mapped out a young man or woman’s future in ways they wouldn’t have chosen for themselves.
THE MISSION
To offer a Scholarship for tuition and living costs to two bright but disadvantaged learners from Dr. Alpo Mauno Mbamba JS School in Rundu to attend a four-year University Degree course in Namibia.
The wider vision focused on empowering the learners to be able to find opportunities for the best possible employment as a result of their degrees. This, we felt would benefit everyone: their families and the community as a whole.
THE DETAILS
What exactly did the Scholarships entail? What was included?
Here are the numbers:
£7,000 to cover tuition, books, accommodation and meals. This was to be paid directly to the university or college.
£500 as a personal allowance for personal care, clothing and transport, to be paid directly to the learner.
QUALIFICATION AND CRITERIA
Having researched the costs and course information details at the universities and the National Institute for Educational Development, we had all the facts and figures at our disposal.
We were all set.
Our whole-of-life philosophy always governs our approach. The charity wanted to help learners who in our opinion, demonstrated future leadership potential, as well as a strong financial need.
Additionally, the learners selected from Dr. Alpo Mauno Mbamba JS School were to have attended the school cultural exchange of 2016, and to have successfully completed Grade 12.
Last but not least, we focused on orphaned or disadvantaged learners who had lost a breadwinner, or with elderly parents unable to look after them.
RAISING THE MONEY. HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED
Funds were raised at the “Night for Namibia” fundraising dinner and auctions in 2017 and 2018. The “Party for the Planet” event in 2018 generated vital, additional money. MacBank, Europe, the largest re-seller of refurbished Apple computers, provided a laptop for each learner.
Also, Allan Scott and Lainey VZK stepped forward as major donors. Our recognition and heartfelt thanks go out to them and of course, to everyone who has supported this amazing cause.
HERE’S MORE ABOUT HOW OUR LIFE-CHANGING SCHOLARSHIPS CAMPAIGN WILL BE BENEFITING TWO YOUNG PEOPLE:
Irmgard Ndumba
Aged 18, Irmgard has this month started her four-year Bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Namibia in Windhoek. She will be majoring in Secondary Education, specifically in Accounting and Economics.
Irmgard’s family circumstances have been challenging, to say the least. With her parents’ separation when she was four, she grew up with her Aunt. With many siblings to support, her wider family has also experienced economic difficulties.
Irmgard’s joy at her Scholarship Award is clear. She wants to be a role model within her family and to make them proud of her. She now knows that with hard work, she will be able to support herself and other family members.
She has plans! Irmgard aims to study for a Masters degree, and then a PhD. As she says, she “wants to be an educated girl…I would also like to help people in need of a better life, especially the poor people in our country. I want to motivate them and to speak to them from my experience”.
Oliver Shirunda
Born in Rundu, 19-year old Oliver’s father died shortly after he was born. Raised by a single Mother and with three brothers, they struggled to cope. When she died in 2015, sadly, Oliver lost faith in his future.
However, this month we are delighted to report, Oliver has started his Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Power at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
Oliver’s guardian, Someno Edward has always inspired him, teaching him the real meaning of the words, “Learn to give, not only to receive”. This young man feels strongly that today’s youths should be tomorrow’s leaders. He worries that his contemporaries and peers’ vulnerability to alcohol, drugs and crime is harming them. Indeed, he feels so strongly about this that he joined the Empower to Inspire Youth project, serving as Director General of the Rundu branch.
Oliver’s Scholarship Award means everything to him. He feels that it will help empower him to be an asset to his community, preventing him from the wrong path and helping him study engineering as a career. We can’t help but think that his attitude and commitment will help him go far.
So…watch this space. Oliver and Irmgard are just starting their academic careers and we wish them every success. They’ll be updating us on their progress, and we’ll let you know how they’re getting on.
With the help of our key sponsors, Allan Scott, Lainey VZK, the charity trustees and of course, the dedicated students and parents of ACS Cobham International School, the Namibia Project is delighted to have achieved so much in so little time.
LET’S LET THE LAST WORDS GO TO IRMGARD AND OLIVER
In letters to their sponsors, they wrote:
“I’m so thankful to what you have done to my life…You do not know how many lives you have changed” (Irmgard)
“Gratitude keeps on overflowing in me. If it was to be turned into water, you and I would need an ark. This world could be flooded by it” (Oliver)
Could YOU be inspired to help change lives? Sponsorship of a Tertiary Education Scholarship could make all the difference and create the life chances that the Namibia Project is so passionate about.
Contact us today to find out more.
Namibia Project