Based on a locally published children's book, titled: 'The World Famous Sunbeam Collector', the Project's main purpose is to promote literacy and to offer a safe and sustainable light source to Namibian children, especially those living in rural communities, who have little to no access of satisfactory light sources at night. The books will be printed in two sizes: A5 and A4.
Two thousand four hundred A5 copies will be donated to schools and children's organisations, offering the communities with quality, local reading material. The A4 books will be sold in both Gondwana Curio Shops and Gondwana House. Proceeds from book sales will be used to purchase and distribute solar lamps, enabling the less privileged learners to study and read at night.
“The solar lamps will be donated to a child in a local community that would otherwise not have access to a sustainable and safe light source," said Gondwana Collection Namibia's Brand Manager, Jescey Visagie, who thanked Bank Windhoek for its support.
Bank Windhoek's Head of Corporate Social Investment, Sponsorships and Events, Bronwyn Moody, said: “Bank Windhoek believes that literacy is key to any societies' economic development and welfare. Supporting The Sunbeam Collector Project, will not only enable the learners to read a lot more, but it will also help shape Namibia's future in a positive light. This is the Bank's way of adding value in the communities where it operates."
The fiction book narrates a story of a World's Famous Sunbeam Collector who gathers and catches rays of sunlight from all over the world and uses it to help those in need of light when they find themselves faced with dark and cold nights. As he travels throughout Namibia, visiting its landmarks and destinations, the Collector notices that Namibia has plenty of sunbeams and sets out to collect and share it with the rest of the world.
Written by Ron Swilling and Peter Lukas, with Karel Swanepoel as the Illustrator and printed by John Meinert Printing, The World Famous Sunbeam Collector costs N$150.00 per copy. For more information, contact Gondwana Collection Namibia at Tel: 061 427 200.
