“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” – unknown.
As a begin to write this blog, I find myself shuddering to think that ten years have passed since I completed high school, and somehow, I still feel like a child at times. While I can honestly say that I didn’t always love my teachers, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t spent so much time with them over the twelve years that ended ten years ago. Even though I still have never used Sin/Cos/Tan or Logs in a real-world scenario, I have no doubt that an engineer feels vastly different and uses these equations more regularly… but I was all to happy to leave them behind. Although, I silently thanked high school math, the first time I had to build a budget.
As we enter October and celebrate World Teacher Day this week – I think back to the teachers I had, but also the teachers I have gotten to know since.
Working with Gondwana, I have had the unique opportunity to work very closely with the Gondwana Care Trust. One of the projects we have started engaging with in 2022 that has shone a new light on the lengths some teachers would go, to support and empower the youth of Namibia.
If we are honest, our education system in Namibia isn’t perfect, but we are continuously trying to improve. However, this often still leads to young Namibians not receiving proper education and through that are limited in the opportunities that are available to them. The project that is working to change the teaching environment across Namibia is called Eduvision. Based out of Otjiwarongo and originally linked to Edugate Private School – here a group of teachers came together to support rural schools and offer them access to teaching aids. Here, is where I get to introduce Oom Frikkie Louw from Eduvision.
For more information on what Eduvision does, and how Gondwana Care Trust collaborates with this organization, please click here.
Oom Frikkie leads the Eduvision team and makes a point of visiting every single one of the schools supported by Eduvision, every month. He does this on a monthly basis to ensure that the system is being used properly and that both the learners’ and the teachers can properly benefit from the Eduvision system. And somehow, this man still feels that he isn’t doing enough.
When I initially met Oom Frikkie, and every time I have seen him since, he reminds me of the personification of a hug. He is warm and passionate, and ultimately all he wants to do is give back to the learners he engages almost daily.
While Oom Frikkie is the voice you often hear when engaging on the topic of Eduvision, there is a dedicated team of teachers that support him, including his right-hand Jurita, amongst others.
Looking at individuals like Oom Frikkie and Jurita, I have hope for the education system in Namibia. I know that there are so many other dedicated, passionate teachers out there that add further value, and I look forward to supporting your efforts going forward.
I have always found that amazing teachers are born with the love and dedication needed to engage so many youths, and later this week on 5 October when we celebrate World Teacher Day, I will raise a cup and salute the amazing men and women who spend their days educating our youth.
Happy Teachers Day to you all.
Jescey Bekker