Zadang Primary School, where children have been learning in an open-sided structure, now stands proud with a block of three new classrooms, courtesy of the collaborative efforts between MTC and the MVA Fund.
The inauguration ceremony, held recently, marked a pivotal moment for the school’s 31 learners. These new classrooms provide a safer and more conducive learning environment, supporting the school’s unique multi-grading teaching approach, which accommodates Grades 1 to 3 together. In addition to the classrooms, the donation included 90 chairs and 90 tables for learners, as well as 2 additional chairs and tables for the teachers. Toiletry bags and school bags filled with essential stationeries were also provided, further enhancing the educational experience for the students.
In a speech delivered by the Kavango East Education Director, Christine Shilima, on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Education, Faustina Caley, she stated, “These classrooms are more than just bricks and mortar; they are spaces where dreams will be nurtured, where knowledge will be shared, and where young minds will be shaped.” She added, “The true wealth of a nation is not its natural resources, but in the capacity of its people to transform those resources into prosperity.”
Chief Executive Officer of the MVA Fund, Rosalia Martins Hausiku, highlighted the power of storytelling to foster empathy and support, saying, “Everyone has a story to tell, and it is through these stories that we learn what others need for us to support them.” She also underscored the importance of sustainable development in rural areas, noting, “There is no way we can sustain cities if we do not start with sustainable villages.”
Tim Ekandjo, Chief Human Capital, Corporate Affairs, and Marketing Officer at MTC, encouraged community outreach, stating, “We urge the community to inform the neighbouring farms about the school and its infrastructure…, for more children to attend school, which may eventually lead to the construction of a school hostel.” Ekandjo also highlighted the role of corporate partnerships in uplifting rural communities, adding, “Today, we see how a simple act of collaboration can change the future of our youth. We encourage more companies to join hands and contribute to the development of our nation, especially in areas that need it the most.”
Since its inception in 2019, the MTC Rural Schools Project has constructed 52 classrooms benefiting regions such as Kunene, Kavango West, Oshana, Otjozondjupa, Karas, Hardap, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Zambezi, and Kavango East. With a N$1.5 million investment in the block of classrooms at Zadang Primary School, MTC and the MVA Fund continue their mission to bridge educational gaps in rural areas. The regions of Erongo, Khomas, Omaheke, and Omusati are next in line to benefit from this initiative.