WINDHOEK – The Namibian National Students Organisation on Saturday launched its ‘Fix my Home’ campaign to help students in tertiary institutions improve their living conditions.
Speaking at the launch in Windhoek’s Greenwell Matongo informal settlement, at the home of the first beneficiary, Namibian National Students Organisation (Nanso) president Simon Taapopi said the project was prompted by a post on social media by a Namibia University of Science and Technology student.
Beatha Iileka on social media described how she used the refund from her tuition fees to renovate her home, which was not conducive for studying.
“We take cognisance of the fact that the living environment of students affects their performance. As part of our Access to Education Campaign, we want to ensure that we break down the barriers that limit access to education – one of the barriers being the material conditions they live in,” said Taapopi.
Nanso, in partnership with vocational training centres, will complete renovating Iileka’s home by fitting windows, improving the floor and fixing the leaking roof, among others, Taapopi added.
He urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation to work on its plans for “student villages” and called on stakeholders to come on board to change the students’ living conditions.
“We proposed during the second National Land Conference that government build student villages in areas such as Walvis Bay, Oshakati and Windhoek. The student village will offer self-catering accommodation. It will have libraries and mini-shops where students can buy their basic necessities,” Taapopi said.
The ‘Fix my Home’ campaign will be rolled out countrywide.
Iileka, a third-year accounting student, told Nampa she feels privileged to receive assistance from Nanso.
“We’re a family of nine and we’ve been living in a one-bedroomed house since I was born in 1999. I added two rooms with my refund. I feel very lucky and privileged to be identified as the first beneficiary of this project,” she said. – Nampa
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
