Inmates’ talent inspires generous donation
Toolkits valued at N$10 000
Raimo Naanda was so moved by the inmates' performance that he rallied donations to secure each man a toolkit for their future endeavours.
The recently concluded National Skills Competition, held in Ongwediva, saw four inmates impressing with their remarkable talent.
Despite their circumstances, these men displayed exceptional skills and determination that left a lasting impact on those in attendance.
Two of the inmates, Patrick Gariseb and Lawrence Tjiundja, earned silver medals in automotive technology and floor and wall tiling respectively.
Meanwhile, Elia Uirab and Eliphas Tobias competed in the bricklaying and plumbing and pipe fitting categories.
Promise
Higher education ministry deputy executive director Raimo Naanda was particularly moved by the inmates' execution of their tasks during the competition.
He approached the four men to learn more about their plans after their release. Their response was simple but challenging: They plan to seek employment.
Naanda, however, had a different suggestion. He urged the inmates to start their own businesses.
Gariseb, Tjiundja, Uirab and Tobias then highlighted a significant obstacle they faced - the lack of tools.
Undeterred, Naanda made a promise to provide them with the necessary tools for their entrepreneurial dreams.
To make this promise a reality, he reached out to friends and community members for support.
Duty-bound
Naanda’s appeal for sponsorship was met with a heart-warming response. Good Samaritans stepped up to sponsor the inmates' tools, with each kit valued at approximately N$10 000.
"I want to call on my fellow countrymen and -women to realise that once an offender is released from a correctional facility after having completed his/her sentence, such a person has gone through some sort of rehabilitation. We should therefore be duty-bound to support them to smoothly reintegrate into our societies so that they start a meaningful life,” he said.
“The moment we reject them, they will do some other things which land them back in a correctional facility, and that is not what we want,” Naanda added.
Among the sponsors were Etuna Guesthouse and Tours, Human Capital Fishing and Tami Gontes, while Gizela van Kent pledged her support to all four inmates upon their release to facilitate their reintegration into society.
Despite their circumstances, these men displayed exceptional skills and determination that left a lasting impact on those in attendance.
Two of the inmates, Patrick Gariseb and Lawrence Tjiundja, earned silver medals in automotive technology and floor and wall tiling respectively.
Meanwhile, Elia Uirab and Eliphas Tobias competed in the bricklaying and plumbing and pipe fitting categories.
Promise
Higher education ministry deputy executive director Raimo Naanda was particularly moved by the inmates' execution of their tasks during the competition.
He approached the four men to learn more about their plans after their release. Their response was simple but challenging: They plan to seek employment.
Naanda, however, had a different suggestion. He urged the inmates to start their own businesses.
Gariseb, Tjiundja, Uirab and Tobias then highlighted a significant obstacle they faced - the lack of tools.
Undeterred, Naanda made a promise to provide them with the necessary tools for their entrepreneurial dreams.
To make this promise a reality, he reached out to friends and community members for support.
Duty-bound
Naanda’s appeal for sponsorship was met with a heart-warming response. Good Samaritans stepped up to sponsor the inmates' tools, with each kit valued at approximately N$10 000.
"I want to call on my fellow countrymen and -women to realise that once an offender is released from a correctional facility after having completed his/her sentence, such a person has gone through some sort of rehabilitation. We should therefore be duty-bound to support them to smoothly reintegrate into our societies so that they start a meaningful life,” he said.
“The moment we reject them, they will do some other things which land them back in a correctional facility, and that is not what we want,” Naanda added.
Among the sponsors were Etuna Guesthouse and Tours, Human Capital Fishing and Tami Gontes, while Gizela van Kent pledged her support to all four inmates upon their release to facilitate their reintegration into society.
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