By: Eba Kandovazu
The Rob Youth Foundation on Saturday donated Sanitary Pads, Toiletries, and Food items in partnership with the education, arts and culture ministry at the Dagbreek school in Windhoek, on the same occasion as the official launch of the National donations of Sanitary pads, Toiletries, and Food items to all the 14 regions of Namibia.
The event was done to celebrate International Youth Day, which Namibia commemorates in the Zambezi Region.
“It’s a great coincidence for us as a Youth Foundation to donate and use this event as our launch for our National Donation same day as the Commemoration of the International Youth Day themed, ‘Intergenerational Solidarity, creating a world for all ages” The purpose is to spread the message that action is needed from all generations to achieve Agenda 2030 and its 17 sustainable goals also known as the global goal, and leave no one behind,” Robert Maseka the managing director said.
He added that through the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, they could identify schools that need assistance.
“We have recognised that there is a multitude of social ills that require urgent attention not only from the government but all stakeholders in general. It is through the backdrop that we have decided to spearhead various campaigns against these social ills and tackle problems as the youth. We feel it is important that the youth themselves pick up the mantle and strive toward building a proactive society rather than constantly relying on the government to do everything. By joining hands with the government, other civil society organisations, the corporate world, and various other well-wishers and partners, we believe that we are in a unique position to harness this society’s potential. It is our wish to be able to nurture a progressive, gender-neutral and suitable society,” Maseka stated.
The Director of Education in Khomas Paulus Nghikembua said that the UN-Namibia Socio-economic Impact Analysis of COVID-19 (2020) estimates that the pandemic pushed more than 105,000 people, including about 45,000 children, into poverty.
“Another UN report shows that children are the poorest demographic at 51.3 per cent. In addition, learners with disabilities are more so likely than others to be out of the school system or to leave school completely before completing primary or secondary education. Globally, the Covid-19 crisis has caused fragile economies to falter and has caused major disruptions in the provision of basic health, education and social protection services that best serve vulnerable populations, especially learners with special educational needs and disabilities,” he said.
As a result, he says, learners with disabilities continue to experience barriers in accessing these services and remaining in the education system.
“Namibian learners are no exception. The Namibian government is committed to ensuring access to inclusive quality education for all children and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Namibia’s Vision 2030 is achieved and that no learner is left behind. Namibia has furthermore ratified various international agreements such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 and hence commits to creating a responsive education system and ensuring that all children, including those with disabilities, have access to quality education. Donations of this nature contribute to the achievement of these goals,” he added.
Last month, the Rob Youth Foundation partnered with the German embassy and NIMT to renovate wards at the Katutura State Hospital.
