Nkurenkuru: Twenty-three vulnerable learners from eight schools across the Kavango West Region have received educational support through the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Namibia (FAWENA) programme, in partnership with Standard Bank Namibia's Blue Child Champion project. The support package, valued at approximately N.dollars 2 500 per learner, includes essential items such as school uniforms, stationery, and transport assistance-critical resources that help remove barriers to education for orphans and vulnerable children.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the support will help restore dignity, increase school attendance, and encourage academic success among some of the most vulnerable youth. In a speech read on his behalf at Nkurenkuru on Friday, Regional Director of Education, Pontianus Musore, emphasized the significance of the initiative.

The FAWENA programme represents a broader commitment to educational equity in Namibia, and through the collaboration with Standard Bank, a total of 327 vulnerable learners across all 14 regions are being supported with essential educational items. The initiative amounts to N.dollars 1.5 million per year over three years. 'Today's handover is not just about distributing stationery and materials, it's about reinforcing the belief that no child should be left behind because of their circumstances,' Musore noted.

A beneficiary from Kandjimi Murangi Senior Secondary School expressed gratitude for the support, sharing how such assistance prevents dropouts and builds confidence for future success. 'A hand has given me hope and change. Many of us were at the risk of dropping out of school due to a lot of problems, but with this kind of support, we will now continue our education with pride and dignity. A door has been opened to show that no dream is too big, and no obstacle is too great,' the learner said.