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Nawa 6 |
Sep 7 2001 |
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HIV/AIDS RETREAT FOR U.S. AGENCIES IN NAMIBIA
 On August 16, 2001, a retreat on HIV/AIDS was held for employees of U.S. agencies in Namibia at the Kalahari Sands Hotel. The opportunity was provided to learn and openly talk more about this life-threatening disease. USAID’s Martin Tjituka acted as Master of Ceremonies and speakers included representatives from Catholic Aids Action, Aids Care Trust, Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Namibian network of AIDS Service Organizations. |
| Their inputs provoked lively discussion. The highlight of the retreat was a quiz show presented by Nahason Katjangua of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Four Mission employees (all from USAID) went through to the final round of the competition. It was apparent from the sweating and fretting that the participants were extremely nervous. However, at the end of the quiz, two of the participants (Cloudina Ngavetene and Ali Ipinge) won a trip to Cape Town. Overall the outcome of the retreat was very positive and all the participants expressed their commitment to share and teach members of their families and communities on how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. |
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SOUP KITCHEN OPENS IN WALVIS BAY
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| The newly launched Walvis Bay Multi-Purpose Center will now house a Soup Kitchen for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Walvis Bay. Starting August 15, a small meal will be provided every Wednesday and Thursday at 1500 for an anticipated 80 OVCs from the communities. "The community`s involvement has been terrific", reports Beverly Figaji, MPC Director. Steve`s Takeaway will prepare food donated by local fishing companies and also provide 6 loaves of bread for the children. Catholic AIDS Action (CAA) will provide transport for the food to the Center. The Multi-Purpose Center was built with U.S. DoD funds on land donated by the Municipality of Walvis Bay, and USAID is financing the Center’s activities and administrative support. Peace Corps/Namibia is providing a crisis volunteer at the Center. |
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USAID HANDS OVER 12 VEHICLES TO ASSIST EDUCATION REGIONS
 As part of the USAID-funded Basic Education Support Project Phase II, twelve vehicles have been made available to the four northern education regions of the country: Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Ondangwa East and Ondangwa West. They will be used to provide transport and logistical support for the implementation of the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture’s School Improvement Program. The vehicles were handed over to the Regional Education Officers to assist the Lower Primary Advisory Teachers, Circuit Inspectors, and Resource Teachers in their efforts to support site-based school improvement activities in their primary schools. |
| Key features of the School Improvement Program include involving parents and community members in locally initiated school improvement activities related to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the lower primary grades. The School Improvement Program implementers recognize that the local school is the place where education quality changes need to have most impact and are using the vehicles to insure that teachers, parents, and principals are provided with the assistance they need to develop capacity in their own schools. Specific SIP activities include: developing new teaching & learning aids; playground development; educating School Board members about their functions and responsibilities; upgrading teachers skills; and exchanging visits among primary school teachers to share specific education models/practices. |
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PATRICIA BREAKS THE GENDER BARRIER
 Patricia Witbooi has become the first female Game Guard for the Tsiseb Conservancy in the Kunene Region. The conservancy is one of 16 established through USAID support under its Life II project, implemented by WWF. Over 200 applicants applied for the positions. She and her colleagues underwent intensive training on tracking wildlife, record keeping and living in the bush. Following the training, Patricia was appointed as one of the six Game Guards for the Tsiseb Conservancy. |
| Her supervisor praised her enthusiasm and her work, "She can do anything the men can. She goes on regular patrol and keeps good records." Poaching of small game by the locals is a major problem in the Uis area, where unemployment rates have been high since the closing of the Uis mine. But the Conservancy plans to increase tourism in the area by making the Brandberg Mountains the center of its many attractions. Patricia said, "It is time for (gender) equality and I am happy to be selected as a Game Guard."A designated area for wildlife should promote an increase in game numbers. Patricia and the other Game Guards identified a need for the provision of two-way radios because of the vast areas they have to cover and the need to communicate with each other when on patrol.Note: Tsiseb Conservancy was registered March 7, 2001 with 1240 conservancy members and an area of 808,300 hectares. |
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