Mbambi School Garden

School gardens can make lasting differences in the lives of children. They are outdoor learning laboratories that transcend gardening to impact children for years to come. They teach children about the environment, how food is grown and where it comes from, as well as the importance of healthy eating. Research has shown that students who participate in a garden-based science curriculum see the difference in their academic achievements.

In the Shinyungwe Circuit of the Kavango East, Mbambi Primary School has taken a proactive approach to enhance their school feeding programme by utilising their own school garden. Thanks to Mr. Sebastian Mangundu, the Agricultural Teacher, and the Acting School Principal, their school garden is flourishing.

Mr. Mangundu, has been pivotal to the success of the school garden. With dedication and commitment to the project, through imparting knowledge to the students around the gardening process, Mr. Mangundu has created an inclusive and educational environment that is environmentally centric.

Coupled with teaching passion, the garden has come into fruition thanks to a generous sponsorship from Debmarine Namibia, who provided the essential materials required for the project. As a result, today this school garden initiative is blooming.

The sponsorship included fencing materials covering an expansive area of 4000 square meters, along with essential garden tools and irrigation pipes. The fencing materials will help to protect the garden against external factors, such as pests and animals, thereby safeguarding the growth of vegetables. This will allow the school to cultivate a variety of vegetables that are specifically tailored for their school feeding programme.

Globally, school feeding programs are one of the most significant and widespread social safety nets. They reap many benefits to schools and children including promoting higher school attendance and reducing dropout rates. In addition, school feeding programs have been proven to improve concentration and educational performance in school.

Mbambi Primary School is a state primary school in Namibia that is one of the highest-ranking academic schools in the Kavango East Region with excellent academics, leadership, sports, and culture. Their approach to learning looks to create a practical learning focused environment for the children to encourage their school attendance.

Debmarine is Namibia's leading marine diamond mining company and is a recognised world leader in marine diamond exploration and mining technology. Their commitment to social investment and partnering for thriving communities is evident in their support fo the Mbambi Primary School. At the handover of their garden project sponsorship, Debmarine noted that they firmly believe that the garden will serve as an invaluable educational tool for the students. It will not only provide them with hands-on experience in cultivating plants and understanding the importance of agriculture but also offer a source of nutritious food to nourish their bodies and help them concentrate better in their studies.

Whats more, supporting education has always been a priority for Debmarine Namibia, as it aligns with their social investment pillar called 'Partnering for Thriving Communities'. This initiative aims to collaborate with communities to create genuine and lasting benefits for Namibia, particularly in the areas of health and wellbeing, skills and education, and livelihoods.

These kinds of initiatives demonstrate what collaborative efforts can achieve in supporting the most vulnerable and creating learning opportunities for children that encourage their brighter future.