The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), through its Social Investment Fund (NSIF) recently contributed N$150,000 towards Engela ELCIN Private School, towards construction of ablution facilities as well as the renovation of three (3) classrooms.
The two (2) ablution facilities are to cater for male and female users and are equipped with modern flushing facilities as well as a septic tank. These facilities replaces the bucket system which was in use at the school since its inception in 2019. With the renovations done on the pre-existing classrooms, the school is now in a position to accommodate more pupils in one (1) class resulting into sufficient spacing between each learner in adherence to health protocols in place as a consequent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF) which was established in 2006 is the catalyst through which the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) contributes to the development of a better Namibia by investing into corporate social investment projects that seek to uplift the lives and livelihoods of all Namibians.
Speaking on behalf of the Namport Social Investment Fund during the handover ceremony, Ms Edith Kukuri said, “Namport through the NSIF arm remains steadfast in its role of being an active and responsible Corporate Citizen and continues to live by the entity’s values of being committed, connected, caring, creative and collaborative”.
An estimate of N$ 831,840.00 was spend on various projects across the fourteen (14) regions nationwide during the Fund’s just ended financial year 2021/2022.
The Namibian Social Investment Fund operates on the premise of four (4) societal pillars:
1. Health
The Fund invests in the development of community health infrastructure and health services in order to protect the health, wellbeing and welfare needs of the Namibian people. Specifically, the Fund supports primary health care projects, which includes the construction of clinics in various communities throughout Namibia.
2. Quality Education
The Fund supports educational initiatives covering the full spectrum right from early childhood development to primary, secondary and tertiary education with a special focus on the subjects of science and mathematics. The overall objective is to improve quality of education and knowledge of all Namibians including but not limited to classroom construction, provision of educational tools and providing sanitation to rural Namibian schools.
3. Environment
The focus for the environmental pillar is based on the need to ensure environmental preservation by supporting initiatives that seek to promote environmental stewardship and climate change mitigation measures.
4. Entrepreneurial Skills/ Small and Medium Enterprise Development
The Fund’s fourth focus area i.e., “entrepreneurial skills/ small and medium enterprise development” is premised on the Chinese adage of “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Hence, its focus is on cultivating and strengthening entrepreneurial skills by supporting and capacitating Namibians especially the youths venturing into development of new products, services and enterprises that can make them self-sufficient and contribute to national development goals of job creation and poverty alleviation. It is hence the Fund’s objective to assist in creating opportunities for future Namibian enterprises.
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