- Voluntary Social Year in Okombahe next year? This year, the first volunteer through the German government's "weltwärts" program has the opportunity to contribute to a social year in Okombahe, Namibia. For several weeks now, Gustav Rolka has been living in his own small apartment at the church-run student residence in Okombahe, supporting the approximately 50 children. He helps them with their homework, gives them extra math or English lessons, and takes them to the toy library to play. This is a new experience for many of the children, as most of them are unfamiliar with puzzles, memory games, or board games. However, through guided play, the children expand their thinking and emotional understanding and subsequently improve their schoolwork. Up to three young men or women have the opportunity to experience a voluntary social year in Okombahe. The "Namibia Support Association" from Pfedelbach, together with the "Friends of Africa" association from Schwäbisch Hall, sends the young people to Okombahe through the "weltwärts" program and also provides support while they are there.
Post from Namibia (final)
We, Margret and Joachim Knoche, have returned safely to Pfedelbach after 2 ½ months.
What new things have been created for the club in the last 2 ½ months?
a) The volunteer via “weltwärts” in Okombahe
Together with the "Friends of Africa e.V." association, our organization is responsible for Gustav Rolka at the student residence in Okombahe. It was beneficial that we were able to introduce Gustav to his work and support him during the last three weeks. Okombahe is truly "hardcore" Africa, and him being there alone presents a particular challenge. He will now focus on supporting the children and young people at the residence over the next ten months.
b) The new person responsible for club work in Namibia
Over the past month and a half, we've had time to integrate Magthe Hoeses into all our projects. She's currently registering our German association as an NGO in Namibia. This involves a lot of work and seven people, and the registration process seems to be just as difficult as our experiences with the Ministry of the Interior. It's fortunate that Magthe lives in Omaruru, the closest town to Okombahe, where our project managers regularly go and can leave their shopping receipts with her. I hope she settles in well and that the association will experience a significant reduction in workload and greater support in Namibia thanks to her.
c) Our privately purchased car in Namibia
As I wrote in my first post, Margret and I bought a six-year-old Nissan Bakkie, which we've driven safely and reliably for almost 10,000 km in the last few months. Initially, we were wondering what would happen to the car when we returned to Germany. Since Magthe doesn't own a car but is regularly visiting and supporting the projects in Okombahe, at MLH, and in Swakopmund, it made sense to give her the car. We've now put this in writing. We remain responsible for everything—repairs, comprehensive insurance, etc.—but the car is being driven and used, and we (hopefully) will have it back when we come again.
d) English lessons in the soup kitchen
Besides providing meals for the approximately 80 disadvantaged young children at Albertina's soup kitchen, their intellectual development is also important to us. To this end, about 20 parents have already received subsidies for kindergarten attendance. We've also set up a toy library, a playroom with creative and stimulating games, and now, in front of each soup kitchen, there are English lessons for a specific age group. With a lot of patience, small books, and singing, Alexia tries to teach the children English in a playful way. This isn't easy and is very unusual for the children in this environment. We're currently running this as a trial until our next visit and will then see if it's working well or what we should change.
Invitation:
There's still so much to tell or write about, but this isn't the place for it. Anyone who would like to hear more about the past few months in Namibia is warmly invited to the old schoolhouse in Oberhöfen next Sunday, November 14th, from 3:30 pm to 6 pm. Coffee and cold drinks will be provided. We will be meeting in accordance with current COVID-19 regulations.
Please register by phone (07949 940269).
Post from Namibia, 25-9-2021 Part C
Genocide – a topic in Khorixas
On our way to a safari in Damaraland, we spent a night with members of the brass band in Khorixas. This was our fourth time staying with Sebastian Gobs and his family. Sebastian has recently been elected county commissioner and is a member of the church brass band, which we occasionally support with instruments and equipment.
His father was also present at dinner (a traditional braai) in the garden, and I had a long conversation with him. Themistokles Murorua is a member of the 72-member National Assembly, which is comparable to the Bundestag in Germany. The genocide, the massacre of the Herero and Nama people from 1904 to 1908, deeply concerns him. He is particularly concerned that much good grazing land is still owned by the descendants of the former Germans. As compensation, Namibians should receive a corresponding amount of land in Germany today, or Germany should ensure that the land here is returned to the Herero and Nama. My objection that most German-Namibians are not German citizens was news to him. Changes to the land issue cannot come from outside, but only from the National Assembly, of which he is a member, and the Namibian government. Furthermore, the state has a right of first refusal on every farm sale and can use the agreed-upon sum, paid by Germany, to buy back these farms over time and transfer them to Namibians. The newly renegotiated agreement regarding payments between Germany and Namibia is highly controversial here. I'm curious to see how things will develop when our President Walter Steinmeier visits Namibia. He will have many questions to answer, such as, "Why are the Herero and Nama people being treated differently than the Jews when it comes to reparations?" But he has considerable political experience and, hopefully, good advisors. During my extended, open conversation in Khorixas, I learned a great deal from Mr. Murorua, and he confirmed the same to the small group. We parted with the shared affirmation that international understanding grows from open and honest encounters.
As an aside: Sebastiano, Sebastian's 17-year-old son, is quite well-known and very popular on YouTube as DJ Abux. His music really impressed the younger crowd and our two German guests that evening. He seems to have already racked up 3.8 million clicks on YouTube. The evening ended promptly before 10 p.m.
Post from Namibia, Part B
Namibia, 20-9-2021
Training program at COSDEC
For the first time this year, our organization is supporting three young men with a basic vocational training program at COSDEC in Swakopmund. Emil and Gerson attended Martin Luther High School, completing grades 11 and 10 respectively. The third, Riian, was in an orphanage in Okombahe and attended Dibasen School, presumably until grade 9. None of the three performed well in their schooling, so we wanted to offer them a short training course as an entry point into the workforce.
Emil, who is doing an "Office Administration" (office training) course, has already contacted us twice to thank us for the course and send a picture. In his last letter, he also mentioned how grateful his whole family is, as our food assistance for him is helping to keep the entire unemployed family afloat.
Unfortunately, I hadn't heard anything from Riian and Gerson. So, my wife and I drove unannounced to the COSTEC training center early Monday morning to see what was happening. Gerson and Riian are training there as bricklayers. What we learned wasn't good news. Gerson was back on Monday, a week late, for the first time since his last visit. Riian wasn't there, but apparently had been there twice the previous week. Furthermore, Gerson didn't have his work clothes; they had been stolen. Together with his instructor, Adolf Huneb, I spoke to him very clearly, but gently, about how things couldn't continue like this. This year is his chance; he has to become self-reliant because after this year, he'll be on his own as an adult. He should write to me by tomorrow and get in touch with Riian. We'll come back the next day (Tuesday) and continue the conversation.Continued
Post from Namibia, Part A Omaruru, September 6, 2021 Dear Readers, this is just a brief introductory greeting from me. Probably only a few of you know that my wife Magret and I have been back in Namibia since mid-August. I only read afterward that my landing on August 11th was the first under the new "Eurowings Discovery" flight program. We were warmly welcomed by the Namibian government with a water hose, in the hope that tourism will now pick up again. Since we plan to stay in Namibia for two and a half months this time, I wanted to buy a used car for us. That turned out to be considerably more complicated than I had anticipated, but with help from friends and a little divine intervention, we managed. With my budget of approximately €12,000, I couldn't get a good used Toyota Hilux, but a good Nissan NP300, 4x4, with a double cab and a covered cargo bed, does the trick. Now we are the proud owners of an off-road vehicle (see picture). Why do we want to stay in Namibia until the beginning of November? I had actually planned three trips with German participants during that time: first, an exchange trip with young adults; then a visit from a delegation from Neuenstein to launch the school partnership with the two schools in Okombahe; and finally, a trip for association members to the projects, including tourist highlights, in October. However, until August 1st, Namibia was a high-risk area, meaning that anyone returning would have automatically had to quarantine for two weeks. Under these circumstances, all three trips were not feasible. Now, Margret and I will be here to oversee the projects and develop them further at our own pace. "Listening to what is needed in Okombahe and in the schools" is our motto for the coming period. Regarding COVID-19 in Namibia: After a severe wave in May and June, new infections and the number of deaths from/with/under COVID-19 are now declining significantly. As of today, the incidence rate is 34, and approximately 6 people are dying per day. There's still a curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., disinfection is taking place everywhere, and masks are officially mandatory everywhere (some kind of mask!), especially in shops or at gatherings. There, for example at religious services or sporting events, up to 100 people are allowed to meet for up to two hours. The further the case numbers decrease now at the end of winter, the more relaxed everyday life becomes. In contrast to last November, I now have the impression that people are taking the disease seriously and keeping their distance wherever possible. Nearly 9% of Namibians have been vaccinated at least once, with approximately 50,000 vaccinations administered in August. The willingness to get vaccinated has increased significantly; most of the people we met were vaccinated or wanted to get vaccinated. But there are also those who consciously oppose it. In rural areas, the willingness to get vaccinated doesn't seem to be as high—and why should it be? There are few people from whom you can catch it, and plenty of space to keep your distance. I'm personally amazed at how well Namibians are managing this disease. Now that summer is beginning, things are more likely to get better than worse. We are grateful if you think of us and pray for us and the people here. Many people are unemployed, have little hope, and are very desperate. Joachim Knoche, Chairman, Tel. via WhatsApp +264 81 3353514
Namibia Calendar 2022
DThe Namibia Support Association is publishing its first-ever Namibia calendar this year, featuring interesting pictures from Okombahe and nature and landscape photography. You can see the cover photo here. The other pages are sure to surprise you!
For €10 (plus shipping costs) This calendar shows (DIN A4 landscape format) Snapshots and photos of people from our projects make this an ideal Christmas gift for yourself or your friends and relatives. The purchase of the calendar, for example, allows a child to eat at one of the two soup kitchens for more than a month.
You can access the calendar via this homepage at contact, via email (Calendar order_Namibia@web.de) or by phone (0160-6637561) order.
99 people cycled for Okombahe
As previously reported, they cycled 45 active members of “Team Namibia” covered 12,229 km. Four sponsors rewarded these kilometers with 1 cent each. This secured Team Namibia first place in Pfedelbach, and they received a certificate and water bottles for all participants at the mayor's office.
The Team of the Evangelical Church Parish of Pfedelbach came to the Namibia Support Association and "gifted" the club the 11,117 km cycled by 54 active cyclists. were provided. Christian Dengler, the team captain, He spoke to three sponsors who also donated 1 cent per kilometer to projects in Okombahe. Eberhard Bauer from the local printing company and Achim Rohr from the cycling club deserve special mention as sponsors.
IIn total, €1159 was raised through the STADTRADELN campaign for school and soup kitchen projects in Okombahe, Of this, €489 came from Team Namibia and €334 from the team of the Evangelical Church Parish. The remaining €336 benefited the association through further donations related to the City Cycling campaign.
Hereby The committee of the Namibia Support Association expresses its gratitude. eV especially to the 99 active cyclists and the four sponsors (Radlertreff, Druckerei Bauer, Weingut Ungerer and an anonymous sponsor).
Situation in Namibia
Namibia is once again under a partial lockdown this month and is suffering particularly from the lack of tourists and the resulting loss of income in the handicraft sector. Therefore, the money raised through the STADTRADELN campaign will be used specifically to alleviate the immediate hardship of the people in Okombahe. For this purpose, Extra food was purchased for the soup kitchens in the form of food packages. and supported a way for 30 people to receive an additional food package for one week through social work. Further money will be used for disinfectants and for women who make their own washable mouth and nose masks.
12,229 km
Three weeks of STATRADELN in Pfedelbach are over and in “Team Namibia” There were 45 active cyclists. These 45 people cycled a total of 12,229 km, achieving first place among all teams from Pfedelbach and third place among all teams in the Hohenlohe district. Congratulations to all the riders and to the team captain!
The entire team cycled to raise money for the club's projects in Namibia. Four sponsors had pledged to donate 1 cent per kilometer driven to school and children's projects in Namibia. The four sponsors are Achim Rohr from the cyclists' club, Eberhard Bauer from the Bauer printing company, Karlheinz and Gudrun Ungerer from the Ungerer winery, and a fourth, unnamed donor. 4 cents per kilometer, that's 4 times 12,229 cents in total. €489.16.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors!
The children at the two soup kitchens and the students in the boarding schools are especially delighted. Due to the current difficult COVID-19 situation in Namibia, many people again lack sufficient employment, and many families are suffering from hunger, a situation that was not so severe in recent years.
Namibia is shocked!
Notes from Namibia, June 19, 2021
In recent days, I've received many worried and frightened WhatsApp messages from friends and acquaintances in Namibia. Since the beginning of June, the number of new infections and deaths has risen sharply. While the incidence rate was 95 on June 1st, it has now reached 350, just 14 days later. There is a shortage of oxygen and intensive care beds in hospitals. Unlike in Germany, Namibia cannot afford another lockdown. Hunger is already spreading among casual laborers, and financial hardship is becoming increasingly common among those who have been laid off or had their wages cut. There is no short-time work allowance, no bridging aid, and no special payments. Those in financial distress cannot afford a vitamin-rich and healthy diet and are more likely to be severely affected by viral infections.
Approximately 4% of the population in Namibia has received at least one vaccination, either with AstraZeneca from South Africa or Sinopharm from China. Yes, China is once again significantly faster and more generous than the Western world! However, it's admitted that the willingness to be vaccinated in Namibia is not as high as in Germany. For various reasons, conspiracy theorists find a receptive audience for their messages in Namibia.
Now, three cities, Windhoek, Okahandja, and Rehoboth, are temporarily sealed off, students in grades 0 to 9 across the country have been sent on an early winter break for a month, alcohol consumption has been significantly reduced, gatherings are limited to 10 people, and there will be no in-person church services until the end of the month.
The Namibia Support Association is trying to provide quick and uncomplicated assistance. We have just distributed disinfectant, soap, and detergent to the people of Okombahe. Women have sewn more washable masks, and people in Okombahe who are clearing the cemetery of snakes have been provided with additional food packages.
Thank you very much for your special donations, which have enabled us to provide generous assistance over the past 15 months.
City cycling for Namibia?
The Namibia Support Association eV is participating in the Pfedelbach will participate in the STADTRADELN cycling event from June 14th to July 4th.
With the kilometers cycled by the “Team Namibia” We would like to support the people in Okombahe / Namibia who are suffering particularly badly, are hungry or have become unemployed due to the Corona pandemic.
Sponsor for “Team Namibia”?
Could you (as a company or private individual) imagine paying 1 cent per kilometer travelled (100km corresponds to €1) from the total
“Team Namibia” to donate to the association?
I will gladly mention you among the sponsors afterwards.
Looking for a fellow traveler with “Team Namibia”?
But perhaps you would like to join the “Team Namibia” to register, www.stadtradeln.de/pfedelbach?
We gladly welcome any driver!
Sharing = Happiness
This human wisdom was printed on the plastic bottle. Maike, Ronja and Lilith, three young girls from Pfedelbach, together with her flute teacher brought them to the Namibia Support Association in Oberhöfen. In this "Sharing = Happiness" bottle Over the past few months, they had collected money at their flute lessons and at home to support children in Namibia. The flute teacher waived her fee, and the girls also regularly put some of their own money into the special bottle at home. Last year, Both promotions cost €210.73 together.
Together, the three girls decided that the money they raised should especially benefit the children in Okombahe. Children whose families urgently need face masks, disinfectant, soap, and detergent regularly attend the Sunday children's service, the two soup kitchens, and the toy library (educational playroom). The money raised will be used to help provide these items. To contain the spread of the virus in OkombaheUnfortunately, in recent weeks people there have become seriously ill and some have died.
The The shining eyes of the three girls confirm the human truth. Sharing with others also brings personal happiness. Beyond personal happiness, however, the girls' and the flute teacher's sharing is so helpful, important, and vital for the people of Okombahe. They are suffering greatly from the effects of the pandemic, including hunger, unemployment, and a lack of hygiene products.
Decision aid – Day center in Okombahe?
The committee of the Namibia Support Association eV is facing a pivotal decision, which I would like to address to you today as a reader and supporter.
For some time now, we have been asked by people in Okombahe whether we could do more to support these disadvantaged and impoverished children, in addition to our soup kitchen (open three times a week) for approximately 80 young children and our toy library (educational playroom) for kindergarten and primary school children. They would like a dedicated day center for children and young people with regular meals and educational activities. Augustinus, the deputy headmaster of the primary school, Yvonne, the soup kitchen manager, and four other people have formed a planning group for this purpose.
The idea for the day center took concrete form last November when I, as chairman, spent an extended period of time in Okombahe. A building planner from Omaruru came to Okombahe. The planning group and I discussed with him what the day center would need and what the local people wanted. He is currently working on a design. The planning group has already received approval from the local council for the desired location next to the local kindergarten, so the kindergarten can also be integrated into the project. If the building is constructed as planned, it will be a beautiful, large center in the heart of the village. Read more
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Volunteering for a year in Okombahe?
The Namibia Support Association, in cooperation with the Friends of Africa Association from Schwäbisch Hall, is creating two placements in the "weltwärts" (worldwide) volunteer program in Okombahe. Starting this September, young people aged 18 and over can go to Okombahe for a year after finishing school, completing vocational training, or taking a personal sabbatical. The placements will focus on the personal development of preschool and primary school children.
One focus is on assisting at the church-run boarding school, helping with daily routines, providing homework and after-school care, and, depending on individual talents, organizing and leading creative, musical, and sporting leisure activities. Assistance with maintenance tasks or gardening is also possible.
The second placement focuses on assisting in the Toy Library, an educational playroom. Children aged approximately 2 to 10 years come there to play; toddlers in the morning and younger primary school children in the afternoon.
Openness and respect towards other cultures, a willingness to engage with them, mental and physical resilience, and a readiness for a simple lifestyle are essential prerequisites. Since Namibia was a German colonial territory and its people have diverse experiences of apartheid, this topic should also be addressed sensitively.
If you are interested, please write to us at kontakt@namibia-verein.de or call us.
Pestalozzi-Schule unterstützt Sekundarschule
Ausbert Siboli: „Reparierte Fensterscheiben stärken das Wohlbefinden und die Freude am Lernen“, so antwortete der Rektor der Sekundarschule in Okombahe auf die Frage, welches Projekt der Namibia-Unterstützungsverein an seiner Schule verwirklichen solle. Hintergrund der Frage war eine Spende von 1200€ der Pestalozzi-Schule aus Pfedelbach, die bei einem Schüler-Spendenlauf erwirtschaftet wurden. Ca. 100 kleine Fensterscheibenteile von den Klassenzimmern sind im Laufe der Jahre kaputtgegangen und nicht wieder repariert. Somit sah die gesamte Schule doch sehr heruntergekommen aus, was sich auch auf die Motivation der 350 Schüler und Schülerinnen auswirkt. Nun wurden von den 1200€ kleine Plastikscheibenteile in Windhoek gekauft, nach Okombahe transportiert und verarbeitet. Die Eigenleistung der Schule war die Bezahlung der örtlichen Handwerker. Joachim Knoche war im letzten November vor Ort und konnte all die reparierten Fensterscheiben begutachten. Nach dem Trocknen des Fensterkittes sollten zum neuen Schuljahr die Fenster noch gestrichen werden. Die Schule bedankt sich bei den Lehrkräften und den gelaufenen Schülern der Pestalozzi-Schule und freut sich über die neue Motivation zum Lernen im neuen Schuljahr. ,
Konfirmanden unterstützen Konfirmanden
Jeder Konfirmand in Namibia bezahlt ca. 40€ für seine Konfirmation an die Kirche. Pfarrer bekommen in Namibia kein festes Gehalt, sondern werden nach einem festgelegten Satz von den Opfergaben und den Kasualien (Taufen, Konfirmationen, Hochzeiten, Beerdigungen) bezahlt. Deshalb ist jede Konfirmation für Familien, die nichts oder wenig haben immer ein großes Opfer.
Die Kinderkirche der Evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Pfedelbach-Untersteinbach unterhält seit über sechs Jahren eine Partnerschaft zu der Kinderkirche (Sunday School) in Okombahe. In diesem Rahmen haben nun die Konfirmanden von 2020 für die Konfirmanden, die vorher in der Kinderkirche waren, gesammelt. weiterlesen
More than 3300 unwanted pregnancies
Notes from Namibia, January 15, 2021
Even in Namibia – despite the current hot summer weather – a second wave arrived, possibly due to the new variant from South Africa or the creeping negligence of many Namibians in adhering to the required hygiene rules. The fact is, however, that approximately two weeks after the numerous campaign events for the general county elections at the end of November, new infections and the number of deaths rose significantly. Since Christmas, a curfew has been in place from 9 pm to 4 am, and the start of the school year has been postponed by two weeks as a precaution. The current 7-day incidence rate is approximately 120. Now, all Namibians are eagerly awaiting the government's statement on the coronavirus situation, scheduled for January 13th.
The curfew will remain in place, the hygiene rules (AHA rules) will be tightened further, tourists can still enter with a negative COVID-19 test, and there will be no new nationwide lockdown. When a journalist asked WHY?, the Health Minister replied, in essence, that the virus has now reached all parts of Namibia, so a lockdown like the one six months ago no longer makes sense.
Presumably, other factors were also in mind: many low-skilled workers were laid off, casual laborers could no longer find work, many families were plunged into abject poverty, and many children and young people lacked a stable environment due to the closure of boarding schools and other educational institutions. In November, the Ministry of Education announced that at least 3,300 school-age girls had become pregnant and did not return to school in September. These unwanted pregnancies resulted primarily from close relatives, as families lived in very close quarters during the lockdown.
The Namibian government seems to have come to realize that the presence of the virus is a reality and that the human "collateral damage" is worse than the direct consequences of the virus.
For us as a Namibia support association, this means that the projects will continue in 2021. This year we are funding 75 students in the school dormitories, two soup kitchens, the toy library, and several other smaller projects in Okombahe. We may also need to make some precautions due to the coronavirus. meet or mitigate major emergencies. ext