Windhoek — They borrowed money and saved the extra they had from their own pocket money and took the bus from Otjiwarongo to Windhoek to attend a career fair - surely not the usual thing young girls would wish to do on a Friday and Saturday afternoon.

But Uetuesapi Hindjou and Mbahimua Kaundje are not ordinary girls. They believe in themselves, have confidence in their abilities and know exactly what they want out of life. "I am a Grade 12 learner and for me a career fair is very important at this point in time because at times you become confused about what fields you want to go into, that is why I decided to come. Now people are talking about a gap year but I do not want to waste any time anymore", says Mbahimua.

On applying for university placement she adds that that their school only circulates information regarding universities and tertiary institutions around the latter part of July.

Meanwhile they have no desire to study outside Namibia and consider the Polytechnic of Namibia and the University of Namibia (Unam) their best bets.

"We want to study here at home, I mean we want to study medicine and it was brought closer to us, why go way from home. Besides we do not want to study outside our country so as not to get homesick and eventually drop out. If we are here at home with our family and friends, chances are better that we will stay in school," they say in a chorus.

The Habitat Research and Development Centre hosted the career fair, organised by the Ritja Trading, a Namibian initiative established with the aim to fill the information gap through the management of arts and educational events. The hall which hosted the event was packed to its brims on Saturday with children from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, both boys and girls well in attendance.