Mariental: Hardap Governor, Riaan McNab, partnered with Teviva Trading CC to expand the Hardap //Uib Kindergarten located in the Withuis informal settlement on the outskirts of Mariental, officially handing it over to its founder, Lena Garoes.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Governor McNab highlighted the crucial role of early childhood development (ECD) centres, especially in informal communities, during the handover ceremony. He stressed the importance of providing access to ECD, stating, “It is important that every child has access to ECD. This is where the foundation of learning is laid.” McNab praised Lena Garoes for her dedication and efforts despite the challenges she faced in the community.
The handover represents a pivotal moment for Lena Garoes, who began her journey as a self-taught caregiver teaching children from zero to six years of age how to read and write. In an interview, Garoes recounted her beginnings in 2014 when she recognized the need for a learning space in her community and started teaching in a small shack.
By 2017, the kindergarten faced challenges due to increased enrollment, with the number of children growing to 31. Garoes shared that some of the children had to sit outside during lessons as space was limited. Despite charging a nominal fee, many parents could not afford to pay. Yet, Garoes persevered in her mission to educate the children.
Support eventually came from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, which provided a monthly allowance, but the demand for more space continued to grow. The recent expansion was made possible by Teviva Trading CC, which funded the project with approximately N.dollars 36,000, completing the construction of a new facility in just two days.
The upgraded kindergarten, recognized as an ECD centre, has transformed from a modest shack into a larger one-room classroom constructed with concreted iron, offering a safer environment for early learning. The centre now accommodates 26 children, marking a significant improvement in the educational infrastructure for the Withuis community.