Schools receive milk from Namibia Dairies

Namibia Dairies, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, on Friday 7 July reaffirmed its commitment to the Moses Garoëb and Monte Christo Project Schools in Havana.

They donated one month's supply of milk to the schools and its learners in celebration of World Milk Month commemorated in June.

Approximately 2 240 learners (1 800 at Moses Garoëb and 440 at Monte Christo) will benefit from this donation which includes 600 litres of milk.

“Despite the current economic challenges which has a great impact on the entire business sector, including Namibia Dairies, and of course our general desire for even stronger support from our fellow Namibians, it is important for us to remain committed to uplifting the lives of our communities.

“The Moses Garoëb and Monte Christo Project Schools were adopted by the O&L Group since inception, and have received tremendous support from the entire group, including Namibia Dairies. Education, youth and skills development are strong focus areas in the O&L Corporate Social Investment (CSI) agenda, and Namibia Dairies is passionately dedicated to the O&L purpose of 'Creating a future, enhancing life' for all Namibians,” said managing director of Namibia Dairies, Gunther Ling, at the handing over of the milk, which took place at the Moses Garoëb Project School.

Ling also made use of the opportunity to educate the grade 1 pupils who attended the handover ceremony on the importance of milk and where it comes from.

While he engaged the pupils during this educational session, they were taught about the important minerals and nutritional components of milk.

Ling was supported and joined by the Namibia Dairies' leadership team who assisted in sharing a glass of milk with the children present.

Inspector at the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Paulus Lewin, represented the ministry and applauded the O&L Group for its commitment to education and the future generation of the country.

Lewin: “We don't attach enough value to the relationship with the O&L Group. This is a relationship that should be cherished. This is bigger than just the donation of milk. This is commitment, dedication, love and passion.

“It is not just about milk, but about the principle of giving. O&L is not waiting for a better economic climate. This is the right time to give – a time that tests true 'Namibianism'. Investment in education will always produce dividends, and ploughing back into the community is what makes any business successful. Thank you O&L, and Namibia Dairies in particular, for once again brightening up the day for our kiddies, the future of our nation.”

Principal of the Moses Garoëb Project School, Flora Petrus, said: “The support from the O&L Group is overwhelming and adds immeasurable value to the lives of our learners and teachers. Namibia Dairies in particular has supplied us with milk every year, ever since the group adopted the school and this is a day all the pupils always look forward to.

“We are blessed and will forever be grateful to Namibia Dairies for what they mean to our school. Not only do they contribute to enriching the lives of our children, who need all the support they can get, but for the past three years Namibia Dairies has contributed immensely to how the community at large perceives our school. I thank Namibia Dairies for the difference they are making in the well-being of our children.”



HOPE AND LIFE

Principal of the Monte Christo Project School, Elizabeth Murangi, says the O&L Group has brought hope and life to the school, and that Namibia Dairies just added even more to the hope that the group has invested in the school.

Murangi said: “Nothing we do or say in gratefulness will ever match up to the value the O&L Group has added to the Monte Christo School. We are truly grateful and will forever regard O&L and its staff as family.”

While World Milk Day is celebrated every year by at least 35 countries in the world on 1 June, the month of June is aligned as World Milk Month and this year celebrates 17 years of existence.

O&L Group Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Coordinator, Venessa Mwiya, said: “O&L's objective with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR/CSI) is to build and maintain long-term relationships in our CSI programme of which we have adopted the Moses Garoëb and Monte Christo Project Schools in Havana.

“Education which is a key focus for O&L and enhances a person's ability to a brighter future. However, we believe that to benefit from good education, it is important to ensure adequate well-being as this enhances the ability to learn.”