The Rob Youth Foundation on 8 September handed over toiletries and food items to 70 households that were affected when a fire broke out in Twaloloka informal settlement, Walvis Bay, Erongo.

The blaze razed their shacks on 12 August.

Walvisbay Rural Constituency Councilor Florian T. Donatus said his constituency is prone to fire and only stood to survive through Samaritans and well-wishers like the Foundation.

He said: “A Youth Foundation called Rob Youth Foundation called our regional office in response to the fire of 12 August 2022 in Twaloloka asking us how will they be of help. We told them all our challenges and they decided to help on the side they are affording.”

The Rob Youth Foundation has partnered with the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture through DSPS to donate items to Resource schools. This campaign will see the distribution of the care packages to all 14 regions in the country where The Foundation has identified resource schools to be the first beneficiaries of the donations nationwide.

“The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Rob Youth Foundation under the leadership of Mr. Robert Maseka for their generosity and partnership.

“The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture acknowledges that good hygiene is critical for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and helping children live healthy lives. Promoting good hygiene means avoiding illness and spending less on health care,” said Tjerivanga.

RYF regional manager for Erongo Region, Ms. Natalia Augustinus stressed that it was important to recognize gender equity in access to and participation in quality primary and secondary education, especially for disadvantaged adolescents and young people.

“It is a powerful strategy to prevent new HIV infections, EUPs, gender inequality, GBV, and child marriages. This includes the recognition that boys and young men are central to achieving gender equality.”

Said Augustinus, “Our Foundation also acknowledges that girls’ completion of secondary school enables both them and their communities to reap socio-economic benefits and break the cycle of poverty. It also increases such girls’ prospects for securing jobs and women’s higher income earning potential.”

In addition, Ms. Susana Hangula, the RYF Erongo media officer highlighted that the problem of teenage pregnancy is a hindrance to education.

“Not only does it set back the lives of teenagers, but some of them don’t go back to school after they give birth. A school girl makes an unwise decision. Or she is pressured into having sex against her will by means of physical force, economic or peer pressure. She becomes pregnant. The father may be a schoolboy, teacher, sugar daddy or even a relative.”

Eric Eric, a learner from Kuisebmund said most kids were struggling to get school uniforms and expressed gratitude that they would be able to attend school in proper uniforms.

“I thank you the Foundation and the councilor for organization this for us it really means a lot to us,” Eric said.

The Foundation also donated health care packages to the hearing impaired of Swakopmund Primary School.

The Rob Youth Foundation Founder and Managing Director Mr. Robert Maseka thanked the Erongo Regional Council for organizing the event and for Shoprite who provided refreshments for the event.

In the photo: Some residents of Walvisbay’s Twaloloka informal settlement receiving daily necessities.