Students from the Sauyemwa Centre for the visually impaired finally have an ablution facility after being without one for over a decade and a half.

The Sauyemwa Centre for the Visually Impaired in Rundu is the only center catering to visually impaired students in both Kavango East and West.

But conditions here have not been easy.

For the first two years after the center opened in 2008, the visually impaired had to attend to the call of nature in the nearby bushes.

Then in 2010, a pit latrine was constructed to be used by both men and women.

It was only a year later when another pit latrine was donated.

But without the necessary upkeep, the pit latrines filled up, which meant that the students resorted, once again, to open defecation.

A learner, Alouys Kamete, shared the difficulties they had to face.

"We used to go out there and cross the road through the bush, but it's not safe for visually impaired people to cross there. Sometimes, we get injured, there are snakes, and there are many other dangers as well."

The Rundu/Tsumkwe Peoples' Foundation then decided to meet the center halfway and finished off the construction of an ablution facility.

The facility valued at N$50,000 consists of two toilets and two showers.

Before these showers, students would either bath in their corrugated iron shacks or behind them.

Councillor of the Rundu Urban Constituency Stephanus Sinonge expressed his appreciation.

“Today we are not just handing over an ablution facility; we are handing back independence, we are restoring dignity, and we are guaranteeing safety.”

The Chairperson of the Rundu/Tsumkwe Peoples' Foundation, Elizabeth Lucian, pointed out that the facility is not fancy, but it will serve a purpose.

"Not something very expensive, but something that can restore a person's dignity. Perhaps, once we receive our dividends from Rundu Fishing Holdings, we can look into our coffers and see whether we are able, at the very least, to put up a proper facility for our visually impaired people."