Necessities for Baumgartsbrum, Rocky Crest HS
Empathy Project reaches out
Between January and February 2024, Bank Windhoek’s Marketing and Corporate Communication Services Department donated toiletries and stationery items to the Baumgartsbrum Farm School and the Rocky Crest High School in Windhoek.The initiative is part of the Bank Windhoek’s Empathy Project.
Situated about 20 km from Windhoek towards the Daan Viljoen dam, Baumgartsbrum Farm School is a government boarding school accommodating 280 learners from less privileged backgrounds, mainly from the surrounding farms.
Upon receiving the donations, the school’s Principal, Maureen Gariseb, expressed her gratitude to the bank and said the donation would mean a lot to the learners. “It will boost their confidence as school starts,” she said. “We are so grateful for this donation and encourage the Bank to continue doing more.”
The Principal of Rocky Crest High School, Justine Klein, said it is pleasing to see companies meeting their social responsibility obligations and being inclusive regarding school donations.
“This is a good initiative by Bank Windhoek as the numbers of vulnerable children without parents are increasing yearly, and most of them cannot afford basic needs,” she said. “Teachers do help, but it is not enough since they are also struggling. This donation will go a long way, and many learners eat in the life skills class because they do not have something to eat at home. Thank you, Bank Windhoek; this will benefit the Namibian child.”
Rocky Crest High School has 478 learners.
Thandeka Goxobes, a volunteer at the Rocky Crest High School’s feeding programme, said that the bank’s assistance came at the right time. “Thank you, Bank Windhoek. I did not know where to get some food for the children for the next few months. My heart is for the children, and this donation will help them have something to eat.”
When asked what keeps her going despite the challenges while caring for the learners, Goxobes said she is passionate about helping children. “They are the future,” she said.
The Bank Windhoek Empathy Project is an annual outreach that aims to spark the spirit of generosity within the community by empowering its employees to give back to worthy communities or initiatives that need support.
Every year Bank Windhoek allocates N$500 000 in seed capital for its branches, agencies and departments to invest in education initiatives in their immediate communities. The Empathy Project takes place across Namibia.