Students help Namibia school
Social action is high on the agenda of Waiopehu College students as part of their social studies class.
It requires them to do a project for assessment and Kate Rowan, Charli Robinson and Niko Tofa are part of a team seeking supplies for a school in Namibia.
The girls are focusing on alleviating period poverty at the school and have engaged a charity named Days for Girls to help them. Niko is working on getting as many books as possible and another team member is looking for pencils, erasers and notebooks to send to Namibia at the end of the month.
Waiopehu College’s Japanese teacher had been to Namibia and had visited the school the team are trying to help.
“He thought it would be good to form a relationship between the two schools. He found not only that the girls there have no sanitary products, he also learnt that the students had a much better chance of getting a job after school when their English was good,” Charli said.
So the plan was hatched to work on both issues. “We contacted the New Zealand branch of Days for Girls who sent us 50 packs, for a donation, to send to Namibia,” Kate said.
They received underwear, sanitary items and soap.
The team approached local schools and emailed businesses around town to see if they wanted to donate some books.
“It would be great if local families would donate old used children’s books they no longer want.”
A book drive is being organised and if you can help you are welcome to drop materials off at the school office.
“With a note that they are for the social services department, please.”
The team are also looking for school supplies, such as pencils, erasers and notebooks. It will be the students’ job to also get their supplies to Namibia.
If you can help or want to know more email: katerow@waiopehu.ac.nz. The project needs to be completed by the end of September.