Deep Roots Namibia Scholar ALINA KADHILA Reaches for the Sky
Here's more from Alina Kadhila, a 12th grader at Ekulo Senior Secondary School in Namibia.
Alina was supported by your generous donations,
through Deep Roots, for grade 9, 10, 11, and now 12.
Alina's Background
Alina came to Ekulo in grade 8. She originally applied for
DRN scholarship in 2008 as one of the top 3 learners in her class, nominated by
the principal Mr. Hishekwa, but was not selected. She applied again in 2009 as
the top learner in her grade 9 class and was awarded the scholarship and has
been a recipient ever since.
Alina is from a village called Amuteya in Oshikoto region,
hundreds of km away from [her school]. Considering the N$900 in annual school
fees (approximately US$120), she likely would not have been able to continue to
attend Ekulo without this scholarship.
We interviewed Alina to hear about her life at school, and
plans for the future. Here's what she had to say.
School & Education
"I miss home at times but I am happy to be here at school
because I learn to meet new people, make friends, and also learn so many new
things through the educational curriculum."
"Ekulo has planted so much knowledge in my head. That's why
I succeed academically. It's Ekulo that has actually shaped my mind. I have
serious and caring teachers that are always involved with their learners and
try by all means to make us understand and not just to memorize. The school
also has counselors that will help you at times, like if you have financial
problems, they will give you steps to help you. I got this scholarship for
school fees, examination fees and all of those needs but I also have other
needs like buying [toiletries] which is where I struggle again.
"I think education is important because looking at the world
without education, it will be...I couldn't imagine a world without education
like those years when our ancestors were here. The world is developing and we
need more skilled people to do everything, almost at every angle of life. It's
only through education that one can be skilled."
Favorite Subjects - Geography and Mathematics
"First of all, I just love numbers and they're in all of
those subjects and also considering what I want to do in the future which is
studying aviation to become a pilot."
Her Future
"I would love to fly for my country since Namibia doesn't have many pilots. I want to fly for Air Namibia."
Why a pilot?
"It was in grade 4 when I learned about air transport in
school and I came to love it. People kept threatening me that it's very dangerous
but I kept insisting that this is what I wanted to do. I also want to make
people believe that it's not only males who can be pilots. Females can also do
it, especially black females who are sometimes neglected and undermined
internationally. I think it's been titled a white, male career which I know
isn't true and I want to change people's perceptions. I want to do it and
despite what people have said, I know I can.
"My principal gave me some direction with this career but he
told me that Namibia does not offer such training, only South Africa can. I know that will be costly but I don't
think I should let finances affect my
career choice. I will figure out a way."
The Impact of Deep Roots
"Deep Roots has affected my life quite positively because if
it wasn't for Deep Roots, then I don't think my parents could even afford my
grade 10 examination fees. Deep roots paid for that. And Deep Roots is still
paying for me this year (grade 11). Their scholarship is like a monetary
motivation for me to study hard again and not let them down because I know they
have hope in me which is why they gave me the scholarship."
Messages to other students
"To those who are going to read this newsletter, especially
fellow learners, I would like to encourage them to study very hard and grab all
of the opportunities that come their way like the one I've got now. And they
shouldn't give up. When we applied for the scholarship, there were many of us,
but a few of us did end up getting it."
"It's not easy to reach destinations in life but one should
try hard and not give up to succeed."
Interview with Mr. Heziwell Mhunduru, Alina's grade 10 English
teacher and the leader of Ekulo's Quiz Team
Mr. Heziwell Mhunduru was Alina's grade 10 English teacher and is the patron
of Ekulo Quiz Team. Alina is one of 3 learners chosen for the team. The team
competes in quizzes on subjects including Namibian and African history, World
history, Science and Mathematics. Here's what Mr Mhunduru says about Alina.
"Alina shows serious commitment and she's one of those
learners who you don't need to push to work. She's always eager to work and is
quite cooperative and inquisitive. She asks a lot of questions. She is way above
average."
"She is 1 of 3 learners on my quiz team. It's a spelling and
quiz bee which is divided into a spelling round and a quiz round. Alina is on
the quiz team. Of the 4 O regions (Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati and Ohangwena),
there were 22 schools competing and this quiz team came out on the top. They'll
be going to Windhoek in 2 weeks time for the first ever national final."
"We selected these learners according to their subject
orientation and she's more inclined to the sciences which contributed to the
quiz team."
"Alina is determined. You cannot squash her. She would
succeed despite of frustrations around in the environment."
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