Windhoek — The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr David Namwandi, last Thursday officially opened an early Childhood Development Centre (CDC) in Otjomuise.

Worth N$2.1 million, the centre is to be run by the Child Development Foundation (CDF).

CDF is a non-governmental charitable organisation that was established in Namibia in 2007. Its main objective is to support orphans and vulnerable children in Windhoek with their education. It is registered as a welfare organisation.

Previously, early operations of the CDF took place at a leased building in Goreangab. The new centre has four classrooms as well as a dining hall with a kitchen.

The centre will take in 20 new children who will receive free education and nutrition.

Children who graduate from the centre will be placed in government schools where their performance would be monitored until Grade 12.

Accelerated Christian Education, which is approved by the Ministry of Education is used at the centre.

Currently, 47 children are accommodated in the kindergarten at the centre.

Namwandi said choosing Otjomuise as the site for the new centre was a good decision.

He feels the area needs educational facilities.

"This area has many young people whose bright prospects are dimmed by the blight of poverty," said Namwandi.

He further said the work of the CDF is a "perfect example" of how the private sector and government can join forces to give children a strong foundation.

Piet van den Driest of CDF was overwhelmed with joy when he shared how his dream of having a better centre became a reality.

"Five years ago, I started to dream of a better centre," he said. He explained that the distance to walk to the previous centre was "too far for the children".

He also urged the children to do their utmost best in order to achieve great academic success.