Namibia Association's 2024 expenditures
It is now mid-December and time to inform you about what the Namibia Support Association has been able to achieve in Namibia with the funds you entrusted to us. approx. €67,300 This year we were once again able to support our projects. We are very grateful for this money and the trust you have placed in our organization.
As chairman of the association, my wife and I spent two eight-week trips to Namibia again this year. During these visits, we were able to evaluate, monitor, and further develop the projects together with the local people. We were also able to initiate several new projects.
We were able to finance the following projects:
- Two soup kitchens in Okombahe (approx. €12,500)
- 80 students in six student dormitories (approx. €10,800)
- The Hada-Huigo orphanage in Okombahe (approx. €17,500)
- Eight trainees (approx. €11,500)
- Two kindergartens and the Toy Library (approx. €2,400)
- Support for the primary school in Okombahe (approx. €2,900)
- Children's church service and confirmation classes in Okombahe (approx. €700)
- Further projects (approx. €9,000)
Thanks
Our newly elected committee The Namibia Support Association would like to thank you most sincerely for all donations and concrete assistance with the projects.
With your With your help and donations, we can continue these worthwhile projects next year as well.
- Work assignment in Okombahe: Alina, a German intern, is currently staying in a small apartment in the Lutheran church's primary school dormitory in Okombahe. Two other interns have already stayed there for extended periods, providing extra English and math lessons to the children. However, the bathroom, the sink in the room, and other renovations are urgently needed. But it's not just the small apartment; the entire dormitory, currently home to 76 children and two caregivers, requires work. Who among you has time in February/March of next year to volunteer for 2-3 weeks to help with some of the work? Mr. and Mrs. Knoche will also be there during this time. The Namibia Support Association is prepared to provide basic room and board, as well as materials. The renovations should be carried out with the help of local workers. The following repair work is needed, for example: checking and possibly renewing the water supply and drainage pipes, plastering and painting walls, … Arrival and departure are self-financed and it is also possible to travel in the country before or afterwards at one's own expense.
- “Quo Vadis – Namibia Association”? Invitation to the 2012 Seminar Day. Our Beginning: Albertina in Okombahe started by providing a hot meal to approximately 80 hungry children with her meager salary. The Knoche couple were repeatedly asked to help. Albertina's initiative was the concrete impetus for the founding of the association. 2024 and Today: The following projects and activities are currently underway: a second soup kitchen for approximately 50 older students, a playroom for children, support for art classes, support for the two local kindergartens and schools, payment of boarding fees for approximately 80 students, support for children's church services and confirmation classes, support for the health clinic, eight trainees, ... Collaboration with approximately 20 adults in the projects, opportunities to work in Okombahe as a short-term assignment or through the "weltwärts" program, an administrator of the association on site, a recognized Namibian branch association, offered trips to Namibia, Mr. and Mrs. Knoche spend approximately three months a year working on the current projects to further develop them, ... And 2030? The association's board cordially invites you to a study day entitled "Our Namibia Association in 2030 – Shaping the Future Together." The event is open to all association members and interested individuals. We would be delighted to welcome new faces who will undoubtedly enrich the seminar with fresh ideas, new perspectives, and diverse viewpoints. Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pfedelbach-Oberhöfen, Unterhöfener Str. 11. Moderator: Dieter Kaufmann, former Chairman of the Board of the Diaconal Association of Württemberg and retired Senior Church Councillor.
Our trainees
Margret and Joachim Knoche are now back in Namibia and are reporting on the association's projects.
On our first day in Windhoek, we immediately Shadow, We visited one of the carpentry apprentices at KAYEC. Shadow dropped out of school in 9th grade, spent several years on the streets, and applied to us last year for welding training. His knowledge wasn't sufficient, however, and he failed the entrance exam. But he was accepted into a six-month carpentry apprenticeship. He's staying with relatives in Windhoek, and we're paying him a monthly stipend to cover his travel and living expenses. Hopefully, at the end of the year, he'll have a certificate that will help him do simple carpentry work for a company or privately. We hope he sticks with it. We encouraged him and will visit him again in four weeks.
We met five other trainees in Swakopmund.
Darleen Darleen is in the second year of her office apprenticeship and is required to complete a six-month internship at a company in the first half of 2025. Since it's already difficult to find an internship, she's already trying to secure a position at a new company that plans to produce green hydrogen, so she can then do an internship there in the following six months. The company is being built about 200 km north of Swakopmund, right on the coast. Darleen has finished all her exams and only has to take the final year exam. That's why she's already working there to make a good impression. She returned to Swakopmund in mid-October for the exams. The teachers at COSDEC attest to her good work, which is fine by us. It's good when young people become creative and proactive. She came to our hotel for breakfast because the company bus was about to take her to work 200 km away. Of course, she wasn't alone; her friend was with her. Lena, who wants to apply for COSDEC with us this year, came along too.
We met the other four trainees later in the morning.
JJohnson and Christiana are in the second year of a tourism and hotel management training program. Read more
Kindergartens in Okombahe and Pfedelbach
Margret and Joachim Knoche are now back in Namibia and are reporting on the association's projects.
Yesterday we visited the two local kindergartens in Okombahe, which with the two kindergartens in Pfedelbach-Heuberg have established a low-threshold relationship. This time we brought an African song from Pfedelbach, which is sung there every morning to greet the children: “Sani bona mi, good morning (name), Sani bona mi!”
We played it for both kindergartens here; they practiced it and immediately used it with their children. In four weeks, we'll come back, record their singing, and bring it back to Germany. We've also held a competition in both kindergartens—let's see who can present it in the most interesting and rhythmic way.
This is practical global learning: All four kindergartens are thinking outside the box and learning – completely free of charge – how children 9000km away interpret songs.
Speaking of money and standards: When I see how few materials and how poor the facilities are that the children and caregivers here have to make do with, I really question our very high standards in Germany. A level playing field between all four kindergartens would surely benefit everyone. A child born here in Germany has so many more opportunities!
African Vocals sang in Untermünkheim
African Vocals, a male a cappella group from the Townships of Swakopmund in Namibia, gave a concert in the well-filled Protestant church in Untermünkheim.
Even before that, a standing reception and a sale of African handicrafts took place in the church despite the rainy weather.
Eight young Namibians filled the church with their kpowerful voices and sprayed African joie de vivre. The African Vocals concert was packed Dynamics, rhythm and emotions. They sang a wide variety of songs, some funny and lighthearted, others quiet, serious, and contemplative. Many of the songs suited the church setting. The enthusiastic audience was so engaged that the choir spontaneously extended the setlist, making the second half considerably longer than the first.
Although the Free admission to the concert The Namibia Support Association was pleased that the African Vocals had received their agreed fee. additional income for the ongoing projects in Namibia. The association thank you to to all donors and also for the invitation and the excellent technical preparation by the Evangelical Church Community.
13 202 km
Drei Wochen STADTRADELN in Pfedelbach sind vorüber und im „Team Namibia“ waren 46 aktive Radler*innen. Diese 46 Personen sind zusammen 13 202 km geradelt und haben damit sogar den zweiten Platz unter allen Pfedelbacher Teams und den fünften Platz aller Teams im Hohenlohekreis erreicht. Der Durchschnitt pro Kopf waren 287 km, zwei Personen sind sogar über 1 000 km in den drei Wochen geradelt.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch an alle Fahrerinnen und Fahrer und an die Team Käptin Margret Knoche.
Das gesamte Team radelte für die Vereins-Projekte in Namibia. Zwölf (12) Sponsoren hatten zugesagt, je 1 Cent pro gefahren Kilometer für die Schul- und Kinderprojekte in Namibia zu spenden.
Die Sponsoren sind
· Frau Berner von der Berner GmbH aus Künzelsau,
· Herr Rode von der Kosmas-Apotheke aus Pfedelbach,
· Fabian Sinn von Erdbau GmbH aus Oberhöfen,
· Hansjörg Stickel von der Hosti GmbH aus Pfedelbach
· Dr. Gunter Hermann, Pfedelbach
· ADTV Tanzschule, Reutlingen
· sechs private Spender
12ct pro Kilometer, das sind 12 mal 13 202ct insgesamt 1 584,24 €.
Join us for a bike ride and do some good at the same time!
The Namibia Support Association eV is once again participating in the City Cycling campaign of the municipality of Pfedelbach from the June 1st to June 21st part.
With the kilometers cycled by “Team Namibia”, we would like to support the people in Okombahe / Namibia. At the beginning of this year, we increased the expense allowances of all employees and the expenses for the two soup kitchens by an average of about 25%, because all food and transport costs have also risen sharply in Namibia.
So far, Already 10 sponsors again declared ready 1 cent per kilometer cycled to support, but we are still Looking for more sponsors. You are welcome to become a sponsor!
Will you join "Team Namibia"?
If you are interested in contacting the “Team Namibia” To log in, please register at www.stadtradeln.de/pfedelbach and choose the “Team Namibia” to.
Margret Knoche is the proven team captain from “Team Namibia!”
As Pfedelbacher It costs nothing, you just have to enter your cycled kilometers on the honor system – all kilometers count. including those outside of Pfedelbach!!!!
For all non-Pfedelbach residents:
We can welcome any driver who lives in Pfedelbach lives, works or in a Pfedelbach Club member is, please include it!
If you do not meet these criteria, you are welcome to join our club (Declaration of accession ) and then you cycle with Team Namibia and do good at the same time.
Every kilometer driven already helps by 10 cents.
African Vocals will be giving another concert near us.
The African Vocals are a male a cappella group from the Townships of Swakopmund in Namibia. In 2024 they will tour Germany for the fifth time.
On Wednesday, July 3rd, 7 pm the group in the Protestant church in Untermünkheim The event begins. Starting at 6 p.m., a reception and a sale of African handicrafts will take place in front of the church. Light refreshments, including finger food and drinks, will also be available.
For the third time after 2019 and 2023 the Namibia Support Association eV, Pfedelbach, To be the host of African Vocals and the organizer of the concert.
The a cappella band was founded in 2012. ...Read more
May Day Celebration in Oberhöfen, April 30th, starting at 7 pm. The Namibia Support Association, together with the Pfedelbach-Oberhöfen Men's Choir, invites you to an event hosted by Margret and Joachim Knoche. Last year, and again this spring, they spent several weeks in Namibia to visit and further develop the association's projects. What changes are taking place in Okombahe? What's new? What's working? What isn't? The event will take place on Tuesday, April 30th, starting at 7 pm. As is tradition, the Men's Choir will hold their annual May Day celebration in the old schoolhouse in Oberhöfen. They will erect a maypole and provide food and drinks. Around 8:30 pm, Margret and Joachim Knoche will give a 45-minute presentation in the former classroom upstairs about their time in Namibia and the association's projects.
Neuer Namibia-Ausschuss - neues LOGO
Bei der
zwölften Jahreshauptversammlung
des Namibia Unterstützungsvereins e.V. hat sich der neue Ausschuss konstituiert.
Der Vorstand wurde einstimmig bestätigt: Joachim Knoche (Pfedelbach) 1.Vorsitzender, Susanne Zeller (Öhringen) 2.Vorsitzende, Margot Fiedler (Pfedelbach) Kassiererin.
Ebenso bestätigt wurden die bisherigen Ausschussmitglieder Steffen Fiedler (Pfedelbach), Tatjana Knoche (Öhringen), Margret Knoche (Pfedelbach), Susanne Schwab (Schöntal-Bieringen) und Jana Käppler (Neuenstein, nicht auf dem Bild). Jürgen Schweizerhof (Öhringen), Ruth und Jonathan Hägele (Untermünkheim) haben sich neu in den Ausschuss wählen lassen.
Die finanziellen Aufwendungen im Jahr 2023 beschrieb der Vorstand in seinem Jahresbericht. Diese Daten und Fakten können hier auf der Homepage unter AKTUELL in einer Präsentation angeschaut werden.
Bei der Jahreshauptversammlung wurde auch ein neues Vereins-LOGO (siehe oben) und der Entwurf eines neuen Flyers verabschiedet.
Post from Namibia, Part 5
Now are Margret and Joachim Knoche They are already back in Germany, but in a final 5th part they report on their time in Namibia during the last weeks of their trip.
We are back at the Martin Luther High School Back again. We took Beate to the airport, ran some errands in Windhoek, and did some shopping in Omaruru. Unfortunately, Margret got sick with a high fever – gastroenteritis. But she's okay again now. We've spent the last few days here again all supported students I saw the primary and secondary school hostels and the MLH, encouraged them to work, and prayed with them for their school year.
From our "Post from Namibia" came from you as readers These are suggestions that we now intend to try out. We told the secondary school students that those who work hard at school and don't cause any problems can look forward to a bonus at the end of the year, perhaps some extra toiletries. Let's see if this works. positive reinforcement helpful and useful.
When I handed over the many donated pens to the schools, I always made it clear that they weren't meant to be handed out indiscriminately, but rather as a reward for good performance, extra work, or for a small contribution. Hopefully, this is a small gesture... the “other” or “give me” mentality to counteract this. However, we must be very careful with all these suggestions, because Africans are proud and we must not give the impression of seeing them as beggars.
This impression may have arisen during the completion of the renovation work for the kindergarten in Okombahe. Read more
Post aus Namibia, Teil 4
Nun sind Margret und Joachim Knoche schon wieder in Deutschland, berichten aber in einem 4. und 5. Teil über ihre Zeit in Namibia in den letzten Wochen ihres Aufenthaltes.
Für einige Tage waren wir auch in Swakopmund, wo wir neben anderen Erledigungen besonders vier der Auszubildenden bei COSDEC - Darleen, Johnson, Christiana und Petronella - besucht haben.
Die Auszubildenden machen einen guten Eindruck, sind dankbar für die monatliche Unterstützung und arbeiten gut in ihrer Ausbildung. Petronella, eine von den neuen, die Bürofachfrau lernt, konnten wir ein gestiftetes Tablet mit einer neuen dazu passenden Tastatur übergeben.
Anders steht es mit Marvellous, die als Krankenschwester ausgebildet wird. Da ihre Ausbildung deutlich teurer ist, kamen wir letztes Jahr überein, dass wir nur die Ausbildung finanzieren und ihre Familie für den Lebensunterhalt aufkommt. Das scheint leider so nicht zu klappen, da sie wegen gesundheitlicher Probleme und zu wenig zu essen krankgeworden ist. Als ich von ihrem Hilferuf hörte, habe ich ihr gleich durch Magthe Geld für gesundes Essen überweisen lassen. Nach einem Besuch bei ihr haben wir gemeinsam vor Ort beschlossen, dass sie ab diesem Monat einen kleinen Essenszuschuss speziell für Gemüse und Obst bekommt. weiterlesen
Post aus Namibia, Teil 3
Nun sind Margret und Joachim Knoche schon über einen Monat in Namibia und berichten von einigen Erlebnissen.
Dieses Mal will ich nicht vom Mangel, sondern von einigen positiveren Erlebnissen erzählen.
Laurenz war ein ehemaliger, sehr gewissenhafter Schüler von mir. Er hat den Computerraum beaufsichtigt und später nach meinem Weggang meinen Computerunterricht weitergeführt. Durch den Schulkontakt der MLH zur Gesamtschule Lünen lernte er Jasmin kennen. Nun sind sie verheiratet, haben kleine Zwillinge und leben auf einer Farm in der Nähe von Omatjete. Sie haben einen Verein für nachhaltige Gartenwirtschaft gegründet und versuchen das auf ihrer Farm exemplarisch zu leben.
Leider ist das Wasser ein großes Problem, ihr Bohrloch ist versiegt, die vergebliche Suche nach einem weiteren Bohrloch hat viel Geld aufgebraucht. Nun holen sie einmal pro Woche frisches Wasser für den Haushalt und den Garten.
Dorthin sind wir mit vier Personen aus Okombahe, die alle einen kleinen eigenen Garten haben, am Montag gefahren. weiterlesen
Post from Namibia, Part 2
Now are Margret and Joachim Knoche We've been in Namibia for a month and are reporting on some of our experiences there:
President's funeral
Last Sunday, after three weeks, the late President Hage Gaingob was (finally) laid to rest, an intense period filled with many obituaries and remembrances. All schools and institutions were required to hold a day of mourning.
His humanity, his easygoing approachability to Namibians, his Christian faith, but also his frank, often uncomfortable words towards Namibians, and for example regarding Germany's policy towards Israel, were repeatedly emphasized and praised in retrospect. Such words are only heard at the graveside, because his outspokenness had also earned him enemies in the past. The weekend from Friday to Monday was a day off for all Namibians. Frank was also present at the state funeral, a blessing indeed! Walter Steinmeier Present, I believe the only non-socialist president. That was an important and positive sign for the strained relationship between Namibia and Germany.
Further aspects on the topic of shortage
In my last letter I wrote a lot about the deprivation caused by people's poverty. But in many conversations with locals, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that... that this deficiency has many different aspects.
For example, I just learned that Yvonne can't hold her soup kitchen event today because she's in Okombahe again – without prior notice – the water was turned off. No one seems able to officially explain why the water has been shut off repeatedly for several days at a time in recent months. Is it due to the lowered groundwater level, the pipes, human error, or something else entirely? Now the student dormitory will also be without water. Clean water needs to be organized somewhere in the town for many people. Perhaps the government will even bring a water tanker tomorrow if the water is out for an extended period. Worrying about basic needs makes everyday life so exhausting that one often doesn't want to or can't deal with other problems.
The bakery in Okombahe, which we supported as a start-up for a while, shows me more and more clearly how
human guilt These are often the reasons for the shortage.
Read more
Post from Namibia, Part 1
Margret and Joachim Knoche We are currently in Namibia and are reporting on some of our experiences.
The shortage
Friday evening and Saturday morning were dominated by an online partnership seminar for southern Africa. The topic was actually... "Women's Power in the Churches" of southern Africa, but it quickly became clear that men and women in the churches here – including in leadership positions – actually earning nothing and mostly work on a voluntary basis and for "God's reward". The local congregations function well, but for the church leadership and for higher-level institutions – such as the Martin Luther High School There is no money. The church leadership in Windhoek and its employees haven't received their salaries for months, the regional church office is closed, and the guesthouses and seminar centers are operating without income. Most employees are continuing to work "somehow" and hoping that money will come "someday." We in Germany cannot imagine this kind of hardship.
This pervasive lack isn't just in the church, but practically everywhere we go. Schools lack books and materials, student dormitories lack beds, mattresses, and lockers so children can lock away their belongings. School kitchens lack plates, cutlery, tables, and chairs, most cars lack maintenance and fuel—and yet, daily life goes on. For Margret and me, this is something we find incredibly difficult to bear every day!
How can that work?
The student dormitories receive food from the state. The government occasionally provides people with staff.Read more
Consequences of the price increases in Namibia
For over a year, we've been hearing from our project partners in Namibia that food prices are rising sharply and they can no longer make ends meet with their current budget. The two soup kitchens are now only able to cook a complete, healthy meal to a very limited extent by the end of the month. My wife and I were in Namibia last year from August to November and can confirm this price trend.
What is the reason?
On the one hand Since independence in 1990, the Namibian dollar has been pegged to the South African rand. Primarily due to economic difficulties in South Africa, the rand has lost more than 25% of its value against the euro in the last three years: Three years ago, a tourist received 16 Namibian dollars for one euro; today, it's more than 20 dollars. As a result, all goods imported from overseas to South Africa or Namibia are approximately 25% more expensive.
On the other hand The war in Ukraine has also significantly increased prices in southern Africa. We're seeing the effects here in our own country as well. Official inflation was 3.6% in 2021, but rose to 6.1% in 2022 and reached 6.0% last year. In other words, prices have risen by approximately 16% over the last three years due to inflation.
In the committee of the Namibia Support Association, we discussed this and... Read more
