Etunda becomes educational and health hub for rural children

Ohorongo Cement and founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma, this week announced a major deal between the cement manufacturer’s social investment arm and the former president’s foundation. Dr Sam Nujoma donated a large portion of his farm Etunda for the construction of a clinic and a primary school. The Sam Nujoma Foundation approached Ohorongo Cement to assist in any manner they possibly can.  In response, Ohorongo Cement decided to donate 34 tons of cement for the project. Support e.V from Ulm in Germany will contribute equipment to the value of N$600,000 and this will be carried out in collaboration with the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust. Hans–Wilhelm Schütte, MD of Ohorongo Cement said, “Education is very important, as those kids are the future leaders of the nation. Health is equally important as healthy people build a healthy nation who can all contribute to a healthy and stable economy for Namibia.”

The project was motivated out of a desire by Dr Nujoma to provide schooling to children residing in the rural areas in the Otjozondjupa region. National census data identified a number of people in Namibia who are most vulnerable in terms of drop-out or non-attendance at school. Among the groups identified were the children of the surrounding farms. In addition, schools are seldom able to meet the demand for enrollment and have to deal with overcrowding and a general lack of finance to pay for school fees. Further obstacles to rural schooling are the distance to and from school, a lack of transport, a lack of hostel facilities for accommodation, as well as a low level of interest from parents. “The health of our people is critical to enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country. A clinic will provide quality health care services to school children and workers in Otavi District and the surrounding areas,” said Dr Nujoma. “We will support the clinic by means of supplying the necessary medical equipment for the daily operations of a clinic. The funding for this will kindly be provided by Support e.V. from Ulm, in collaboration with the OOCT. The grounds have been debushed and cleared and the first bricks have been delivered. The construction date is yet to be confirmed”, said Mr Schütte closing with the  statement “By supporting projects like these, Ohorongo supports the slogan Growth at Home and helps to work towards Vision 2030.”