Children in the Kavango West Region gathered at Nkurenkuru to air their voices against the violation of children's rights, such as rape, murder, and other forms of abuse.
Learners, accompanied by their teachers and officials from various offices, marched through Nkurenkuru's Nepara Road to the Governor's Office, where they handed over a petition.
A learner from ELCIN Nkurenkuru High School, Lizette Kunugas, presented the petition to the Chairperson of the Kavango West Regional Council, Joseph Sikongo, who received it on behalf of the Governor.
"Enough is enough. In each of us is a child. Love and not fear is what we must have. To cry in pain or to live in silence is not something we deserve. We want to walk freely in the streets of this country called Namibia. Listen to what we have to say. We need your protection. Treat us with compassion, lead us with love and assist us in becoming the best that we are capable of becoming," said Kunugas.
Another learner from ELCIN Nkurenkuru High School, Evi Zoze, expressed distress, stating that it is troubling when parents who are supposed to protect children become the abusers.
She noted that every child's loss is a loss of potential, as children hold the promise of becoming future leaders and changemakers.
Teachers, who serve as carers and mentors, also shared their own frustrations.
A teacher from ELCIN Nkurenkuru High School, Sylvia Nande, pointed out that while the Okahandja incidents drew attention, many more cases remain unreported.
"My message I have for Adam's gender is for them to find a turning point to not just find decency in violence, not to rape other people, and no physical abuse or any sort of abuse. It is quite disturbing that the people we should turn to for protection and safety are actually abusing us and violating our rights on a daily basis."
Similarly, Petrus Kanyanga, a teacher at Leevi Hakusembe Secondary School, urged those involved in child abuse and senseless killings to stop forthwith.
"As a teacher, a father, and at the same time a former learner, what happened in Okahandja is really bad. I do not wish this to happen again. Whoever did it, end there; we don't want you to destroy our nation. As schools, principals and school boards at large, we must come together and sit and set up strategies and procedures on how we can keep learners safe from these dangerous situations."