Our Stories
Investing in Bright Futures for Orphaned Kids
October 28, 2022
B2Gold Namibia’s Community Social Investment Strategy focuses on health, education, culture, the environment, and small business development. Investment is carried out within the B2Gold Otjikoto Mine’s impact communities, in the capital city of Windhoek, and other vulnerable communities throughout the country. One of the initiatives in support of early childhood development is the Nakayale Private Academy, located in the Omusati Region of Namibia, which opened its doors in 2016.
The school aims to provide quality education to orphaned and marginalized children in the region. An agricultural project was started to financially support the school, with the aim to achieve future independence and sustainability. The academy has 181 students across six grades and plans to grow to a full primary school over the next two years.
B2Gold provides financial support to the school, which helps the school to secure educational supplies and equipment and to employ well-trained staff to interpret and deliver the curriculum. In addition, healthy daily meals are provided, and accommodation is maintained, which allows the school to provide quality education in a secure environment.
The academy was initially started by the Dirk Mudge Trust, and according to Founder and Trustee Chrisna Greeff, a shortage of funds has been the main barrier for the facility to become self-sustainable. “We have started a 40ha agricultural project as an income generator to sustain the school. Although the project is doing well, it has some way to go before making the school independent from donor funding. B2Gold has been a lifesaver since 2020. They’ve not only made up our financial shortfall but have also provided much-needed technical and business advice, financial services, and management capacity.”
The first 15 Nakayale graduates have started the next leg of their journey after successfully completing their primary education. They have been enrolled at the Karstveld Academy in Grootfontein, a private high school with state-of-the-art facilities. As the children at all levels progress to their next school year, an incoming class of 15 pre-schoolers started their new futures in January 2022.
These successes provide Chrisna and her team with the inspiration to continue their great work. “It gives me great satisfaction, during these times of continuing inequality and poverty, to see our children at Nakayale being so privileged – for once! I am by far the most blessed of all!”
