The Rob Youth Foundation handed over school uniforms to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds at Zambezi's Muyako Combined School.

The foundation also handed over 3,840 sanitary pads for the girl child at the same school.

The uniforms include 36 skirts, 18 long pants for girls, 52 long trousers for boys, four short trousers for boys, and 30 shirts.

Handing over the donation, Rob Foundation representative Mercy Mukawa says the foundation continues to engage learners throughout Namibia about challenges they face at school and community levels.

"Absenteeism of girls due to lack of uniforms and sanitary pads was some of the biggest problems nationwide. We found, for instance, that more female learners engage in sexual activities with older men in order for them to get money for sanitary pads, toiletries, and school uniforms, as well as food because of the crippling financial background."

She further noted that the situation has led to a high rate of teenage pregnancies throughout Namibia, of which the Zambezi Region is one of those regions on top of the list.

"The Rob Youth Foundation Namibia is of the opinion that completion of secondary school and tertiary education enables individuals and their communities to reap social and economic benefits and break the circle of poverty. It increases prospects for securing jobs and women's high income potential; the value and unpacking of universal secondary education for girls is at the forefront of the initiative, such as the Education Plus Initiative for Sub-Saharan Africa."

Mukawa advised Muyako learners to take their social responsibilities seriously by helping their parents, who have sacrificed a lot for them to be where they are.

She appealed to learners to refrain from engaging in alcohol and drug abuse.

The foundation will also hand over a similar donation to Lusu Combined School in the region on Wednesday.