The Director of Riverside Christian Academy in Nkurenkuru, Kavango West, Michelo Sikwale, has opened her school doors to vulnerable children.

The academy is a private school established in 2010.

Sikwale said she noticed the many intelligent children struggling in school due to financial and social challenges. 

She then decided to create space for them at her school, supporting both their educational and basic human needs. 

She later visited their homes, where she found a heartbreaking situation.

"I was very touched that I could not just look and leave those kids like that. That is what has motivated me to start looking for those vulnerable children that I know can do better. And we started taking care of them, starting from the uniforms, school fees, and feeding, like breakfast and lunch, and also buying their toiletries when they go home because even at home you find out that there is nothing."

Currently, Sikwale takes care of 17 vulnerable children. 

Some of them have already graduated from her school, yet she continues to support them.

"I am not only looking at those vulnerable, we also have San kids that I have identified as being good, and we also brought them here."

Sikwale explained that the programme is designed to support the children until Grade 12. 

After that, the child is expected to find a way to enter university. 

However, depending on the availability of resources, she is willing to support them even beyond Grade 12.

"We cannot just leave, just because it is done at our school does not mean we cannot help out there.  So I thought, 'No, I will continue to help this child until the child finishes Grade 12."

 Sikwale acknowledged that caring for as many children comes with challenges. 

She said that as a member of the community, she feels a responsibility to support those in need within the society she operates in.

"When it comes to feeding, you know things are becoming expensive right now, right? So monthly, I can go up to N$10,000 spending for these little ones. So the challenge is that maybe when you do not have enough that month, where do I go? I have to strive and make sure that these kids get what they need." 

One Grade 7 learner said she is determined to study hard and become a teacher to give back to her community. 

Riverside Christian Academy has over 300 learners with 19 staff members.