Debmarine Namibia today donated educational material to Eluwa Resource School.
The material with a combined value of N$300,000 consists of computers and typewriters for learners with disabilities, printers, televisions, sports equipment, science laboratory items, containers of paint, and others.
Eluwa Resource School, in the town of Ongwediva, has three sections, namely the Hearing Impaired Learners section, the Visually Impaired Learners section, and the Intellectually Impaired Learners section.
The hearing impaired section has 194 learners and 30 teachers; the visually impaired section has 128 learners and 17 teachers, while the intellectually impaired section has 59 learners and 9 teachers. In total the school has 381 learners.
The school also has a supporting staff of 47, consisting of cleaners, watchmen and admin personnel.
In welcoming the donation by Debmarine, Principal of the Visually Impaired section Ms Elizabeth Nuugonya said that Eluwa School was started by the Finnish Missionaries at Engela, catering for only the visually impaired learners.
“In April 1973 the Department of Education took over and transferred the school to Ongwediva at its current premises,” Nuugonya said.
Over the years the school grew in leaps and bounds and continued to provide education to learners from many corners of northern Namibia, those who could not be taken to normal schools due to the physical or intellectual disabilities of the learners.
“Without these kinds of donations we would not have achieved what we have achieved so far.
“To our guest of honor, Ms Ipinge and your delegation, we are warmly welcoming you here today and forever. We are eagerly waiting to receive your donation, so that we become a living testimony of it. Let our friendship never end here but we look forward to host you again in the near future.”
While handing over the donation, Debmarine Namibia’s chairperson of the Social Investment Committee, Ms Stella Ipinge, said that as the company’s ongoing commitment to make an impact in the lives of the less fortunate Debmarine decided to provide the donation to Eluwa Resource School.
“We are proud to support the school in their mission to provide quality education to the special learners, and we believe that the equipment we are sponsoring will make a meaningful contribution to the learning process throughout their lives,” Ipinge stated.
On behalf of the Oshana education directorate, Ms Hilma Nuunyango-George accepted the donation and said that the material will be put to good use and help the teachers to deliver quality learning at the school.
“Eluwa school is testimony to the fact that every child can learn if given the opportunity. Every child can learn, can learn in their own special way,” Nuunyango-George emphasised.
The occasion was also attended by Ongwediva Mayor Mr Tarah Shalyefu.
In this photo: Eluwa Resource School learners entertaining guests.
In the main image: From left is Debmarine Namibia’s communications officer Ms Anna Ikela, Ms Elizabeth Nuugonya of Eluwa, Ms Stella Ipinge of Debmarine, and Ms Ndinelago Nangolo of Eluwa with some of the learners showing off some of the donated items.
