Selfless acts of giving continue as learners return to the classroom.
In the Kavango East Region, the Rob Youth Foundation donated school uniforms and sanitary pads to needy learners at Likwaterera Primary School.
Rob Youth Foundation Namibia is a national non-profit youth organisation dedicated to addressing social and economic challenges faced by young people across the country. The Foundation has established a youth workforce in all 14 regions to support its mission.
The donation included 100 full school uniform sets, 680 sanitary pads, and bathing soap.
Elizabeth Ndumba, Regional Manager, Rob Youth Foundation:
"Since our establishment, we have engaged with youth across Namibia to understand the challenges they face at school and in their communities. One of the biggest issues we’ve encountered is absenteeism among young schoolgirls due to a lack of school uniforms and sanitary pads.
"In many cases, girls have been forced to engage in transactional relationships with older men just to afford basic necessities like toiletries, school uniforms, and food. This has contributed to high teenage pregnancy rates, particularly in regions like Kavango East."
The Foundation believes that completing secondary and tertiary education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking socio-economic opportunities.
"A girl without access to sanitary pads often misses school during her menstrual period, leading to learning gaps and social exclusion. Through our back-to-school drive, we have secured donations of sanitary pads to support learners. Ensuring gender equity in education—especially for disadvantaged adolescents—is crucial in tackling issues such as HIV infections, gender-based violence, and child marriages. Boys and young men also play a vital role in achieving gender equality."
The Foundation plans similar donation drives in the Zambezi, Kavango West, Erongo, Otjozondjupa, and Oshikoto regions.
Likwaterera Primary School has 351 learners, 28 percent of whom come from marginalised communities. The school offers classes from pre-primary to grade seven.
Receiving the donation, Shambyu Circuit Inspector Blasius Haita expressed gratitude, highlighting the impact such support has on learners’ education and well-being.
"This act of generosity aligns with Namibia's Sector Policy on Inclusive Education, which envisions equal opportunities for all learners, regardless of their socio-economic background. Similarly, the Education Sector Policy for Orphans and Vulnerable Children emphasises the need to support students facing financial hardship.
"Education should serve as a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier. The support provided today will have a direct and meaningful impact on our learners' academic performance and overall well-being."
Haita urged other education stakeholders to contribute, noting that providing school uniforms fosters a sense of belonging and equality while reducing stigma and boosting learners' confidence.