Michelle McClean, a school for all

Michelle McLean Primary School was built in 2000 and inaugurated in October that same year by Dr Sam Nujoma and Michelle McLean. The school was constructed in Otjomuise as a state school through a partnership with the ministry of education, arts and culture. The long journey to and from school is a thing of the past for many young people living in the area.

Eighteen classrooms, a library, a gathering space, two restrooms, an office, an administrative complex and a caretaker's home made up the first phase of the school. There were 493 learners enrolled at the opening in 2001.

The second phase, which included a building with three classrooms and an ablution block, was finished and put into use in October 2004, in conjunction with the school's fourth anniversary. Currently, the school is home to 1 145 learners and 37 teachers, with a total of 24 classrooms. The school also has a soup kitchen that feeds about 277 learners.

While the school has come a long way, it is still in need of improvement, as it does not have a proper sports field for learners to run and enjoy as it offers soccer and netball as extramural activities.

During the school’s athletics events in February this year, McLean - who is the school's patron and was Miss Namibia 1991 and Miss Universe 1992 - called on donors to assist with infrastructure improvement.

According to NBC Digital News, she said: “As much as the Michelle McLean Children Trust built the Michelle McLean Primary School and helped with donations from time to time, we really do depend - like all the other schools in Namibia - on many donations from the private sector. I am appealing to the private sector regarding building new classrooms, a new school hall as well as upgrading other facilities for all the children to enjoy".