WINDHOEK, Namibia  — On 23 August 2022, the Chinese Embassy in Namibia donated six (6) sewing machines to the Maternity Waiting Home at the Katima Mulilo Regional Hospital. The Embassy also donated N$84,000 to Mulumba Primary School to help construct a wheelchair ramp for learners with disabilities. The donations come after the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Office reached out to the Embassy for assistance in June 2022.

“I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to UNFPA Namibia Representative, Sheila Roseau for her passion and dedication to promoting Namibia women and children’s interests. About two months ago, Ms. Roseau came to visit me in our Embassy and raised two assistance proposals to me. She then sent detailed execution plans to me which enabled the proposal to be applied smoothly,” said the Embassy’s Chargé d' Affaires, Mr. Yang Jun during the handover.

Mr. Jun said China was pursuing a people-oriented approach toward development and attaches great importance to the protection of women and children. “The Chinese embassies are actively engaged in caring about the people’s livelihood and providing assistance to the disadvantaged people, which embodies our principles of sincerity, practical result, affinity and good faith in interacting with African friends....I hope this batch of donated funds and machines be well-made use of and therefore help bring a brighter future to the local people,” he stated. 

With a population of 458 learners and 19 staff members, Mulumba Primary School is one of the oldest schools in the Zambezi Region, turning 78 years old in 2022. Its terrain is sandy, making it difficult for wheelchair-bound learners to access classrooms and offices easily.  The school has 32 learners with disabilities of which 11 are confined to wheelchairs.

“On behalf of the entire Mulumba Primary School and indeed on my behalf, I wish to state that today the entire school community is on cloud nine,” said the school principal, Linus Simasiku, expressing his gratitude.