US grants assist hundreds of pupils

RUNDU – A total of 850 orphans and vulnerable children completed their primary education at the end of 2006 thanks to support from a US government grant scheme.

Gary Newton, Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), revealed this when the US government awarded an additional N$1,6 million in grants to Namibian orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) at 41 schools in the six northern regions. The number of affected children benefiting has increased – from 11 122 in 2005 to 27 424 last year.Newton said that to date the US government had made available N$5 million to assist pupils in 130 schools throughout the six northern regions.The grants were designed to help children affected by HIV-AIDS attend school and help communities to ensure that children can pay for school fees, uniforms, books and supplies.NampaThe number of affected children benefiting has increased – from 11 122 in 2005 to 27 424 last year.Newton said that to date the US government had made available N$5 million to assist pupils in 130 schools throughout the six northern regions.The grants were designed to help children affected by HIV-AIDS attend school and help communities to ensure that children can pay for school fees, uniforms, books and supplies.Nampa