While rural villages and farms struggle to accommodate learners in proper shelters, a pensioner from the Karanas settlement in the Hardap Region, Hendrick Brand, has stepped up to assist.

Brand is spearheading the construction of a hostel meant especially for learners from distant places and at a minimal fee. The hostel is being built with his pension money and income from selling livestock.

Most of the learners accommodated at this hostel are from Windhoek and attend school at Karanas Primary School, situated about 70 kilometers from Rehoboth.

The school has been accommodating learners in a private hostel, which parents complained was substandard.

"The reason why we started this side is that we want something better because our children are our future. For the boys on this side, we have eight; the capacity is for eight boys, and we have two toilets, two washbasins, and one shower on this side. On the other side, we've got a capacity for 12 girls, two showers, and two washing basins."

Brand has a plan to acquire more funds to expand the hostel, which will bring its total cost to about N$500,000. 

"We are busy on the outside for another building that is bigger than this one, which can take up to 30 children. There are also ablution facilities, two showers, two toilets, and maybe four washing basins as well. Then we got a nice stoop in front, shade from the children, and a swimming pool, which was used, but I want to fix the cracks, put in steps, and put the water back."

The hostel, which is not subsidized by the government, charges N$500 per term to cover food and accommodation.

"We are giving people an option. We are trying to offer the children a home away from home because we have the passion to look after children."