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Nawa 23 |
Feb 9 2004 |
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DAA TOM WOODS VISITS NAMIBIA
 USAID`s Deputy Assistant Administrator, Tom Woods, recently paid a five day visit to Namibia, during which he visited USAID activity sites in four different regions of the country. During one of his stops, he met with staff, volunteers, and children at the Bernhard Nordkamp Center`s after school program for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). He learned that behind the joyful faces of many of the children were lives bearing the twin burdens of social stigma and economic hardship.
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It is estimated that Namibia, a small country of approximately 1.8 million people, has over 80,000 children under the age of 15 living without one or both parents. Many predict that within the next several years, 1 in 3 children will be orphaned before reaching the age of 18. Often orphaned children are taken in by extended families, which are already living below or close to the poverty line. Increasingly, however, Namibia is experiencing the tragic phenomenon of child-headed households. Good nutrition and access to education are a constant struggle for many OVC.
The Bernhard Nordkamp Center is just one of the many efforts in Namibia to address the OVC crisis. It provides at-risk children with education advocacy assistance; limited material support (for instance, in the way of school uniforms); psycho-social support; an afternoon soup kitchen; and experiential learning opportunities. The Center was established and is operated by Catholic AIDS Action, a USAID-supported organization that is helping approximately 18,000 OVC throughout Namibia.
In his remarks at the Center, Mr. Woods expressed his high regard for the vital work being done by the staff and volunteers of Catholic AIDS Action, and reiterated the U.S. Government`s firm commitment to supporting efforts that help orphans and vulnerable children build happy and productive lives. |
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USAID SUPPORTS EMERGENCY SEED DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
 Under a grant from USAID`s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, in response to an emergency declaration by Ambassador Kevin McGuire, 18 metric tons of mahango (millet) seed has been distributed to farmers in the Kavango Region who have been disadvantaged by two years of drought. The USAID program contributes to the Government`s comprehensive relief program intended to provide for the food and non-food needs of 642,000 Namibians affected by the ongoing drought.
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Distribution of seed in Kavango was carried out by a local NGO, Africare/Namibia, between the period January 5-23. Africare distributed two to four kilograms of seed to needy farmers identified by regional counselors, in coordination with the Office of the Governor. According to Africare representative, Kathy Chivuno, 6,205 farmers received emergency seed packets. Based on Africare follow-up visits, the majority of the seed had been planted prior to the end of January, which is considered the end of the optimal planting period. Mrs. Chivuno noted that the program is intended to complement the Government`s seed voucher program, under which 12 metric ton of seed is being distributed to needy farmers in Kavango.
On January 28, Deputy Assistant Administrator Garrett Grigsby, of USAID`s Washington-based Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, the office responsible for providing the grant assistance, accompanied U.S. Ambassador Kevin McGuire to Kavango to be briefed on the seed distribution program as well as general development needs within the region. Following a meeting with Kavango Governor Sebastian Karupu, Mr. Grigsby noted that "USAID is pleased to have been able to respond to the Government`s appeal for support. We anticipate that by providing seed to the region, Kavango farmers can now take advantage of what appears to be a good rainy season. We hope that our assistance helps restore food security within Kavango."During his visit, Mr. Grigsby also visited USAID project activities in the areas of HIV/AIDS, community-based natural resource management and basic education. |
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CHILDREN`S STORYBOOK LAUNCHED TO HELP OVC
 Thanks to the support provided by USAID through Family Health International, Catholic AIDS Action published an instructional children`s storybook that provides advocacy information to help orphans and other vulnerable children access their right to a free primary education in Namibia.
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Although the Namibian constitution guarantees a "free primary education"to all, the reality is that many children cut short their education due to a lack of money to pay the requisite school fees. An exemption is possible via the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport, and Culture — but this information is not widely known or practiced. Thus, the new book, Kauna`s Birthday Wish, offers hope to thousands of poor orphans and other vulnerable children in Namibia whose education is at-risk unless an exemption can also be granted on their behalf -- the same as it was for Kauna in the storybook.
By using a children`s book, Catholic AIDS Action aims to reinforce the message of "education for all"amongst students, teachers, and caregivers. The book was officially launched on 2 February 2004 by Namibia`s Ministry of Basic Education, Sports, and Culture, and will be distributed in three languages (English, Afrikaans, and Oshiwambo) to all school-based and community-libraries in Namibia. It was written by Lucy Y. Steinitz of Catholic AIDS Action and colourfully illustrated by student-teacher Valence Litja Williams. Further translations into additional indigenous languages can be expected later this year. |
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ELECTIONS SUPPORT CONSORTIUM`S NATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION
 Aina, Golda, Magdalena, Bibi, Chaze and Lucia seem like ordinary teenagers, but having just been announced as members of the Elections Support Consortium’s (ESC) national essay competition for school children`s Top Ten, they stand out in the 864-strong crowd of essay competition entrants.
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They all concur that they took part in the competition because they "had something to say"and were provided the opportunity to do so by the essay competition. Golda and Lucia were further spurred on by their status as eligible voters and recognition of the importance of their vote and participation in a democracy. Both decided to enter the competition in the hope of helping to create further awareness of the importance of citizen participation. Exasperated by her friends` and families` lack of interest in democracy and its processes, Lucia states that "often people think that their voices will not make a difference and will probably not be heard. This is a totally wrong attitude to have towards democracy. After all, it is through democracy that one can determine their future and probably that of their children as well."
The importance of citizen participation in a democracy is captured by Golda whose essay recognized that "Namibia`s future does not lie in the hands of the government but in the hands of the citizens of country."Magdalena similarly emphasized the importance of citizen participation. She cited the proverb "`Practice makes perfect`; certainly perfection within democracy can only be achieved with the active help of the Namibian society."Means for participation identified by the winners include voting, monitoring corruption, holding government accountable, forming groups, creating awareness and promoting education, attending meetings, lobbying representatives and advocating for change.
Working on their essays and reading the ESC`s series of ten newspaper advertorials, Golda and Lucia translated their words to action and took an active role in the democratic process; both were instrumental in encouraging their friends and family to register as voters during the 2nd General Voters Registration and voting in the Windhoek West local authority election. They are living testament of the importance and impact of civic and voter education and its the central message that one person can help make a change. |
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