Kuisebmond Secondary School has taken a significant leap towards sustainability and community empowerment with the successful revitalization of its agriculture project. Thanks to EduLink and their partners, the school is now one of ten institutions across Namibia to benefit from this transformative initiative.
Overcoming Challenges: The Roots of Our Garden Project
Kuisebmond Secondary School, nestled in the coastal town of Walvis Bay, faces unique environmental and socio-economic challenges. The town’s salty soil, compounded by strong eastern winds, poses significant agricultural hurdles. Coupled with high unemployment and poverty rates, many learners arrive at school hungry, which affects their ability to focus and learn.
Recognizing these challenges, the Head of Department, Ms. Hamukwaya, and Agriculture Teacher, Mr. Muniswaswa, took action by submitting a proposal to Eduventures/EduLink. Their vision? To transform the school’s garden into a sustainable hub for food security, practical agricultural education, and community upliftment. Their efforts paid off, making the school a proud beneficiary of Eduventures’/ EduLink-funded project.
A Shared Vision: The Goals of the Revitalized Garden
The school’s renewed agriculture project has three primary objectives:
- Address Food Insecurity: The garden will provide nutritious produce to help feed hungry learners and the vulnerable in the Kuisebmond community.
- Promote Practical Agricultural Education: Learners gain hands-on experience in sustainable farming practices, preparing them for future opportunities.
- Support Community Development: By involving local youth and producing surplus food, the project contributes to economic growth in Walvis Bay.
The Handover Ceremony: A Celebration of Collaboration
On 19 November 2024, the school hosted a handover ceremony in the library to officially inaugurate the revitalized garden. The event was organized by Mathematics and Science Teacher, Ms. Neshuku, and featured a lineup of inspiring speeches and moments of gratitude.
Opening the Event: A Prayer and Reflection
The ceremony began with a heartfelt prayer by Tate Mathew, who read from the Book of Genesis, highlighting humanity’s duty to cultivate and care for the earth—an apt metaphor for the occasion.
Key Speeches
- Ms. Neshuku, as the MC, expressed the school’s gratitude to Eduventures and highlighted the collaborative effort involving learners, teachers, and community youth.
- Principal Mr. Maswahu welcomed guests and emphasized the garden’s role as a “symbol of growth, learning, and economic empowerment.” He praised the school’s ongoing collaboration with the community and congratulated the Environmental Club for its active involvement.
- Constituency Councillor Donatus applauded the initiative, noting its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He urged learners to care for the garden and share its bounty with the vulnerable.
- Eduventures Chairperson Mr. Benson shared the project’s background, funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft and SODI from Germany. He announced future plans, including a knowledge exchange conference and awards for the best-performing school gardens.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
A special acknowledgment goes to the tireless efforts of Ms. Hamukwaya and Mr. Muniswaswa for crafting the winning proposal, and to Ms. Neshuku, who played a vital role in coordinating the event and working closely with Eduventures throughout the project.
The school also extends its appreciation to other teachers from the Mathematics and Science Department, whose contributions made this success possible.
A Voice from the Learners
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Pennicky Nemwatya, Chairperson of the Environmental Club. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to Eduventures and the NID team for their commitment, stating, “We feel lucky to be part of the ten schools chosen. This project has given us a new sense of purpose.”
A Brighter Future
The revamped garden stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and determination. As the school looks ahead to 2025, the garden is not just a source of nourishment but also a beacon of hope, growth, and learning.
Kuisebmond Secondary School is excited to participate in Eduventures’ knowledge exchange conference in 2025 and aims to emerge as one of the top three gardens in Namibia. With the support of dedicated teachers, learners, and community partners, the seeds for a brighter future have truly been sown.
Stay tuned for updates as we cultivate change, one garden bed at a time!