Allexer Namundjembo
A Gift of Hope Association has donated scientific calculators, Oxford English dictionaries, and mathematical sets to Oshilulu Combined School in the Oshikoto region.
The donation, made on Monday, marked the association’s second community drive aimed at supporting education and empowering rural learners.
The event was led by coordinators Tim Martins and Dr Oskar Mbango. They represented the association founded by Sofia Mbango and Thomas Hasselberger.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone as we continue giving back and working tirelessly to close the educational gap. It gives us immense purpose and joy to know that our efforts are changing lives in a positive way,” the association said during the handover ceremony.
Martins encouraged learners to grow into responsible and compassionate citizens.
“When we are giving, it is not because we have, we give because we can,” he said.
He explained that the donated stationery will remain at the school for all learners to use.
“The stationeries will remain at school, and when learners want to use them, they should do so and take them back for safekeeping at the school,” he said.
Martins has previously supported girls in the Oshikoto Region through the “I Got Your Back My Sisters” project, which provides sanitary pads to help learners stay in school.
He said A Gift of Hope Association was created to bridge the educational gap in rural and underserved communities.
“Having grown up in a similar environment, I understand first-hand the struggles many learners face due to a lack of basic educational tools. These challenges became even more apparent during my time as a student teacher at the beneficiary school, which is why we chose to begin our journey with them,” he said.
He told the Windhoek Observer that the donation was fully funded by the association.
“We did not receive any external sponsorship or support from corporate or governmental entities for this specific donation. The funds were raised through our internal efforts and contributions from the founding members,” he said.
The association said its work shows how dedication and shared vision can overcome the challenges of distance and limited resources. It believes that community-driven efforts can help close the gap between rural and urban schools and improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.
Martins said the association plans to identify more schools and orphanages in need through community nominations and local engagement.
“At A Gift of Hope Association, we believe that education is a right, not a privilege. By providing essential resources such as books, calculators, uniforms, and other learning tools, we aim to spark meaningful change. Our organisation is more than a charitable initiative; it is a mission grounded in empathy, dignity, and the belief that empowered children can shape a better future for themselves and their communities,” he said.
He added that the association welcomes sponsorships and partnerships to expand its impact.
“By continuing such initiatives, the association hopes to create sustainable support systems that enable learners to excel academically and personally, while fostering a culture of giving and solidarity across Namibia,” Martins said.
