EMPOWERING EDUCATION – BILDUNG STÄRKEN
In 2022, the initiative Empowering Education – Bildung stärken was started by Dr. Julia Augart together with Dr. Wilfred April and the Maltas (Management Leadership Talent Search) Club Namibia. The initiative aims at supporting and empowering learners in Namibia. As the pandemic and the Ukraine war have significantly impacted the world and the economy, the already disadvantaged children suffer again the most. Therefore, this initiative has started collecting money to support learners in Namibia with learning materials. Since its beginning in 2011, Maltas Club Namibia has taken delight in supporting rural Namibian communities. The rural ICT Programme, which was launched in 2021 in collaboration with the German Embassy in Namibia, will be extended to Southern Namibia in February 2024.“Finally noteworthy to mention is that the club will continue to forge partnerships nationwide to bring about change to communities where it is most needed,” said April.
During the morning break on April 3rd, 2023, 171 learners at the Môreseon Special School in Windhoek received a learning kit each. The learning kit consisted of a folder, a set of colored pencils, 2 writing pads, 2 pens, 2 pencils, an eraser, and a pencil sharpener. The students were happy, proud, and cheerful to receive their very own kit. The principal Anita Kreft emphasized the importance of supporting disadvantaged learners and special education in the country but also instructed the students that the learning material is not for their brothers or sisters but for them and they should use it for their education.
“In times like this when money is tied or hard to get, we do appreciate such donations. Working with impaired learners is not rocket science, but rather a blessing you receive daily,” said Kreft.
While most money donations are raised in Germany by Julia Augart, the stationary valued at about N$ 16000 is organized and bought locally in Namibia by Dr. Wilfred April and the Maltas Club Namibia. The Maltas Club strives to promote and empower students in higher education and is active in a variety of projects that encourage students to engage with their environment. “Although it was more challenging to raise money this year, Empowering Education continues to collect money to hopefully support learners at Suiderlig Secondary School in the South of Namibia and an additional school in the Kavango region later this year,” said April.
In the next few months, the club will host motivational talks around schools in the Khomas Region. Thereafter they will travel to Olukonda to host the first-ever Matric farewell for the learners of the Olukonda secondary school in October 2023. The club will end the year on a high note by hosting the annual Mandume Kindergarten Christmas Party in collaboration with Dinapama Manufacturing Supplies on December 10. An annual working holiday with this year’s President Mercy Niigambo is planned for Stellenbosch University in early 2024. The club would like to extend its sincere gratitude to all its partners who are making valuable contributions in ensuring that we empower the future leaders of tomorrow.