GCE's first group of scholars graduated high school in December 2012. In an effort to keep abreast of how they're doing currently, the entire staff sits around GCE HQ playing Candy Crush while waiting for previous scholars to friend us on Facebook.
Recently, Johannes Imene stopped by to say hello and then answered a bunch of questions we hadn't thought to ask until after he answered them. Monsieur is currently studying Business Administration at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
Recently, Johannes Imene stopped by to say hello and then answered a bunch of questions we hadn't thought to ask until after he answered them. Monsieur is currently studying Business Administration at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
What was your living situation like while you were at Gosen?
My living situation was not that good while at combined school. I am an orphan without a father. I live with my mother since the death of my father in the year 2000. My family consists of seven members: mom, two sisters, one brother, one niece, one nephew, and I. None is employed and therefore all of us rely on her (mother) for support, especially financially. My brother, niece, nephew and I are still schooling. Going to school was not easy especially when I was young because the school (Gosen) where I attended my pre-primary until grade 10 was far - approximately 5 KM - from home. When growing up, I realise that footing for such a long distance is an encouragment for me to work hard in school. Apart from that everything else was going well.
When did you first hear that you could get a scholarship if you scored at least a 30 on the grade 10 exam? What did you think about that?
I think that was a great opportunity which needs not to be wasted. Personally, I think 30 points is not something difficult to a learner who is dedicated and focusing to his or her school work.
Did the promise of a scholarship motivate you at all?
Yes, throughout the year I had to work very hard and I was also forced by the promise to make the competition very strong. It also encouraged me to work hard with a fear of losing an open opportunity as such.
What do Gosen students think or say about the scholarships?
Some of the learners that I met with and shared that idea responded positively toward the idea. They said that they are happy and think that this was the best way to encourage individuals to work extra hard and as a result improve the overall result for grade 10 at Gosen.
How did you feel when you found out you had a scholarship?
Hahaha.......it was a phenomenal day for me. I was so happy and proud of myself. Being told that my parent will not be responsible for my school and residence fees at secondary school, I was so happy. I was so thankful that I met my mom halfway financially.
GCE’s primary goal is to help improve the overall pass rate at Gosen. Do you think the promise of a scholarship helps?
The promise of the scholarship really helps, because learners are directly encouraged by that promise to work hard and all students are willing to be beneficially of GCE. Moreover parents are also motivating their daughter and sons to work extra hard in order for them to be awarded scholarship and as a result the pass rate will increase.
GCE relies on donations from many supporters. If you could speak to all of them at once, what message would you like to give?
First let me appreciate the idea of GCE. Secondly, I would like to thank all donors for making it possible for GCE and keeping it rolling. So I take this opportunity to extend a personal thank you to you all stakeholders of GCE for your generous contribution and dedication in turning GCE into a fast growing organisation. Keep doing it not only for GCE but for others too. May God bless you all.
You’re living in Windhoek [the capital of Namibia]. What do you like and not like about it compared to the village?
The best thing I like about Windhoek is its formation; it was well planned. Sources of information are also available, e.g. library. I will not finish listing things I like about Windhoek. The problem is only that Windhoek is becoming the home if robbers and thiefs, which makes the environment unstable.
M’shasho or GMP?
Lag......M'shasho! [Ed note: If the Director had known Johannes liked M'shasho we would have never paid for his school fees. GMP 4 Life!]
Thanks to Johannes for answering our questions. We are very excited to see him doing well at Polytechnic.
My living situation was not that good while at combined school. I am an orphan without a father. I live with my mother since the death of my father in the year 2000. My family consists of seven members: mom, two sisters, one brother, one niece, one nephew, and I. None is employed and therefore all of us rely on her (mother) for support, especially financially. My brother, niece, nephew and I are still schooling. Going to school was not easy especially when I was young because the school (Gosen) where I attended my pre-primary until grade 10 was far - approximately 5 KM - from home. When growing up, I realise that footing for such a long distance is an encouragment for me to work hard in school. Apart from that everything else was going well.
When did you first hear that you could get a scholarship if you scored at least a 30 on the grade 10 exam? What did you think about that?
I think that was a great opportunity which needs not to be wasted. Personally, I think 30 points is not something difficult to a learner who is dedicated and focusing to his or her school work.
Did the promise of a scholarship motivate you at all?
Yes, throughout the year I had to work very hard and I was also forced by the promise to make the competition very strong. It also encouraged me to work hard with a fear of losing an open opportunity as such.
What do Gosen students think or say about the scholarships?
Some of the learners that I met with and shared that idea responded positively toward the idea. They said that they are happy and think that this was the best way to encourage individuals to work extra hard and as a result improve the overall result for grade 10 at Gosen.
How did you feel when you found out you had a scholarship?
Hahaha.......it was a phenomenal day for me. I was so happy and proud of myself. Being told that my parent will not be responsible for my school and residence fees at secondary school, I was so happy. I was so thankful that I met my mom halfway financially.
GCE’s primary goal is to help improve the overall pass rate at Gosen. Do you think the promise of a scholarship helps?
The promise of the scholarship really helps, because learners are directly encouraged by that promise to work hard and all students are willing to be beneficially of GCE. Moreover parents are also motivating their daughter and sons to work extra hard in order for them to be awarded scholarship and as a result the pass rate will increase.
GCE relies on donations from many supporters. If you could speak to all of them at once, what message would you like to give?
First let me appreciate the idea of GCE. Secondly, I would like to thank all donors for making it possible for GCE and keeping it rolling. So I take this opportunity to extend a personal thank you to you all stakeholders of GCE for your generous contribution and dedication in turning GCE into a fast growing organisation. Keep doing it not only for GCE but for others too. May God bless you all.
You’re living in Windhoek [the capital of Namibia]. What do you like and not like about it compared to the village?
The best thing I like about Windhoek is its formation; it was well planned. Sources of information are also available, e.g. library. I will not finish listing things I like about Windhoek. The problem is only that Windhoek is becoming the home if robbers and thiefs, which makes the environment unstable.
M’shasho or GMP?
Lag......M'shasho! [Ed note: If the Director had known Johannes liked M'shasho we would have never paid for his school fees. GMP 4 Life!]
Thanks to Johannes for answering our questions. We are very excited to see him doing well at Polytechnic.