Boarders at the Ndiyona Combined School's Hostel in Kavango East are doing well, despite their accommodation facility having burnt down this past weekend. 

The blaze completely destroyed two blocks that housed 110 boys. While some learners from the Ndiyona Combined School's hostel were enjoying an out-weekend, their sleeping quarters were burning down. 

The blocks accommodating the girls survived the fire, but the 110 boys lost all their possessions stored there, from toiletries, mattresses, clothes and uniforms to furniture and literature. 

The fire also destroyed the kitchen and food preparation room attached to the blocks. 

Community members, a construction company, the fire brigade and the military all helped contain the fire, which raged for about four hours. The cause of the blaze is still unknown. 

Regional leadership, including educators, garnered support and provided the hostel dwellers with mattresses, bedding, and tents that would serve as temporary accommodations. 

The hostel's kitchen staff now has to prepare meals at Linus Shashipapo Secondary School, which is more than ten kilometres away. 

The Education Inspector for Ndiyona Circuit in Kavango East, Pontianus Kamunima, said school authorities are organising psychosocial support for the learners.

"The way forward, yes, the learners need to write exams.  We are certain, we explained to the learners; they accepted, and they are fine. We also managed to get a social worker who will be able to go and try to counsel these learners. The way forward is that we communicated this information through regional leadership, which I believe they communicated through the head office. We are just looking for more assistance, especially in terms of the beds; if they can deliver this week or so, we will definitely appreciate it."

Kamunima is now asking good Samaritans to assist the boarders with the basic necessities while they wait for the government. 

"We are looking forward to assistance, business people, maybe just to come in and assist these learners in terms of cosmetics that were completely destroyed, clothing, and school uniforms. It is just an appeal. Otherwise, we are positive that the learners will write exams, and we are looking forward to the situation being handled."

The hostel accommodates 508 learners.