San girls get a head start

TWO San girls have received scholarships from Patrick O’Shea, CEO of Engel and Volkers Africa and business partner of Michelle McLean.

O’Shea and McLean attended a function with Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila when he asked how the business could best help the San community. It was then decided that each of the two girls would be granted a N$5 000 scholarship.Depending on their performance this year, the scholarship will be renewed.The two San girls are at an age when they normally drop out of school because of poverty and a lack of role models who have completed school.The two girls were chosen because they are both A students and want to continue with their education.Katjitundu Jeanetta Ndjirukiree (18) attends the Okakarara Secondary School and wants to become a pilot.Precious Aleka (14) attends the Sikubi School and does not yet know what she wants to do after passing Grade 12.Amathila says she has met with the families, teachers and principals of both girls to ensure that they understand the importance of finishing school and going on to university.Special teachers have been appointed to help with schoolwork and any problems the girls might have.The idea was to put the girls into schools in Windhoek so that they could receive the best possible education, but there was no place and the cultural shock might have been too much.They will stay at their old schools until the end of the year and transfer to Windhoek next year.Two San boys from Gobabis have also received one-year scholarships from NamPower.It was then decided that each of the two girls would be granted a N$5 000 scholarship.Depending on their performance this year, the scholarship will be renewed.The two San girls are at an age when they normally drop out of school because of poverty and a lack of role models who have completed school.The two girls were chosen because they are both A students and want to continue with their education.Katjitundu Jeanetta Ndjirukiree (18) attends the Okakarara Secondary School and wants to become a pilot.Precious Aleka (14) attends the Sikubi School and does not yet know what she wants to do after passing Grade 12.Amathila says she has met with the families, teachers and principals of both girls to ensure that they understand the importance of finishing school and going on to university.Special teachers have been appointed to help with schoolwork and any problems the girls might have.The idea was to put the girls into schools in Windhoek so that they could receive the best possible education, but there was no place and the cultural shock might have been too much.They will stay at their old schools until the end of the year and transfer to Windhoek next year.Two San boys from Gobabis have also received one-year scholarships from NamPower.