Advent Bazaar for the Benefit of Namibia: Ten women from Oberhöfen, Untersteinbach, and Pfedelbach met several times to exchange creative ideas for Advent and then put their own ideas into practice. This resulted in many unique, handcrafted art pieces, which were offered to the public at an Advent bazaar in the old schoolhouse in Oberhöfen. Many Pfedelbach residents came to enjoy coffee and cake, red and Namibian bratwurst, get into the Advent spirit, and purchase items for themselves or as gifts. The ten women spent many hours crafting and preparing, all for people in need in Namibia. This bazaar was specifically dedicated to supporting the brass band project in Khorixas, Damaraland. Last year's travel group from the Namibia Support Association visited the local Protestant church of Pastor Hendricks and were welcomed by the Uitani Brass Band. Mayor Moloto and District Administrator Sebastian Gobs also play in the church's brass band. They practice three times a week, thus also doing excellent work with young people and adults. Music is not only very enriching and important for the civic and religious communities in Germany. Pastor Hendricks, Mayor Moloto, and District Administrator Sebastian Gobs are delighted: The net proceeds of €2100 will not only allow them to purchase some good used or even new instruments, but also to support students in need. The instruments will be taken to Namibia on two trips next year and personally delivered in Khorichas.
Summer holidays have now begun in Namibia.
The schools and boarding schools are closed, and the children and teenagers are going to stay with their parents or relatives on the farm or on the cooler coast, as it is now very hot inland. Many of the children are looking forward to the holidays, but are also already thinking about January when school starts again and the boarding schools and dormitories reopen. Their tuition at the dormitory or boarding school is secure.
The committee of the Namibia Support Association decided at its last meeting to fund places in student dormitories or boarding schools for 25 children and young people for the new school year: eight primary school children at the Lutheran Hostel in Okombahe, nine students at the secondary school dormitory in Okombahe, four primary school girls at the dormitory in Omaruru, and one boy and three girls at the Martin Luther High School will receive special support. All of these children had previously used the soup kitchen at Albertina and are either neglected at home or have no parents or relatives who can afford the low school fees or hotel accommodation.
One of them is Rachel Basson, 14 years old. She comes from Okombahe, and both her parents have died. She lives with several siblings at her grandmother's house, who struggles to feed them all. Rachel is particularly diligent and inquisitive, and was therefore accepted at the Martin Luther School, though it wasn't clear who would pay her tuition. Through personal connections with a teacher, I learned about this, and so we were able to help and support Rachel financially with her studies.
The schools and boarding schools are closed, and the children and teenagers are going to stay with their parents or relatives on the farm or on the cooler coast, as it is now very hot inland. Many of the children are looking forward to the holidays, but are also already thinking about January when school starts again and the boarding schools and dormitories reopen. Their tuition at the dormitory or boarding school is secure.
The committee of the Namibia Support Association decided at its last meeting to fund places in student dormitories or boarding schools for 25 children and young people for the new school year: eight primary school children at the Lutheran Hostel in Okombahe, nine students at the secondary school dormitory in Okombahe, four primary school girls at the dormitory in Omaruru, and one boy and three girls at the Martin Luther High School will receive special support. All of these children had previously used the soup kitchen at Albertina and are either neglected at home or have no parents or relatives who can afford the low school fees or hotel accommodation.
One of them is Rachel Basson, 14 years old. She comes from Okombahe, and both her parents have died. She lives with several siblings at her grandmother's house, who struggles to feed them all. Rachel is particularly diligent and inquisitive, and was therefore accepted at the Martin Luther School, though it wasn't clear who would pay her tuition. Through personal connections with a teacher, I learned about this, and so we were able to help and support Rachel financially with her studies.
Pfedelbach residents support two students in Namibia
Were you at the Pfedelbach Castle Festival?
Were you present at the hill climb time trial in Schuppach?
The sale of Namibian (Bourewors) sausages by the Oberhöfen men's choir at the castle festival raised a net profit of €120 for the Namibia Support Association. A similar sum was collected through donations at the Schuppuch to Neunkirchen hill climb, organized by Christian Dengler.
The Namibia Support Association says “THANK YOU”.
The money will be used for two students at the Martin Luther Catholic High School near Okombahe. There, we support parents who cannot afford the full school and boarding fees of approximately €250 per year, each covering half the cost. It is important to us that the parents pay a larger portion of the school fees themselves, and we, as the association, can then cover the remaining amount.
In this case, the parents of Paulina Nakambare and Franziska Uises were able to receive support. Both students are in grade 9, and their parents are either unemployed or have many other siblings to support.
Were you at the Pfedelbach Castle Festival?
Were you present at the hill climb time trial in Schuppach?
The sale of Namibian (Bourewors) sausages by the Oberhöfen men's choir at the castle festival raised a net profit of €120 for the Namibia Support Association. A similar sum was collected through donations at the Schuppuch to Neunkirchen hill climb, organized by Christian Dengler.
The Namibia Support Association says “THANK YOU”.
The money will be used for two students at the Martin Luther Catholic High School near Okombahe. There, we support parents who cannot afford the full school and boarding fees of approximately €250 per year, each covering half the cost. It is important to us that the parents pay a larger portion of the school fees themselves, and we, as the association, can then cover the remaining amount.
In this case, the parents of Paulina Nakambare and Franziska Uises were able to receive support. Both students are in grade 9, and their parents are either unemployed or have many other siblings to support.
Students helping students
During the project days at the HGÖ (Higher School of Economics) shortly before the summer holidays, several students focused on the topic of "Namibia." We from the Namibia Support Association were happy to fulfill their request to provide current information about the country and its people, including their challenges (children, school, education, unemployment, AIDS). A slideshow presentation illustrated the history of the former German South West Africa, its development into the modern state, its tourist attractions, and its diverse wildlife. Working collaboratively, the students created a comprehensive photo and text documentation, which they presented to their classmates, teachers, and parents on two large display boards. In two further activities, they sewed a fabric blanket with African motifs and prepared a simple meal (maize porridge with spiced sauce). The sale of beaded necklaces and small wooden animals made in Africa on the school grounds raised €230, which the HGÖ project group generously donated to the Namibia Support Association. The money was used to support a school project in Windhoek: NEAC (Namibia Educational Assistance College), an institution for "slow learners" and school dropouts. At the school, students can repeat their secondary school leaving certificate, and the Namibia Association provides support to needy parents who cannot afford the full tuition fees. Thanks to the €230 raised by the students of HGÖ, several students were able to participate in the extra intensive exam preparation course. Principals Jakobus Arnath and Wilson Hangwe extend their heartfelt thanks.
During the project days at the HGÖ (Higher School of Economics) shortly before the summer holidays, several students focused on the topic of "Namibia." We from the Namibia Support Association were happy to fulfill their request to provide current information about the country and its people, including their challenges (children, school, education, unemployment, AIDS). A slideshow presentation illustrated the history of the former German South West Africa, its development into the modern state, its tourist attractions, and its diverse wildlife. Working collaboratively, the students created a comprehensive photo and text documentation, which they presented to their classmates, teachers, and parents on two large display boards. In two further activities, they sewed a fabric blanket with African motifs and prepared a simple meal (maize porridge with spiced sauce). The sale of beaded necklaces and small wooden animals made in Africa on the school grounds raised €230, which the HGÖ project group generously donated to the Namibia Support Association. The money was used to support a school project in Windhoek: NEAC (Namibia Educational Assistance College), an institution for "slow learners" and school dropouts. At the school, students can repeat their secondary school leaving certificate, and the Namibia Association provides support to needy parents who cannot afford the full tuition fees. Thanks to the €230 raised by the students of HGÖ, several students were able to participate in the extra intensive exam preparation course. Principals Jakobus Arnath and Wilson Hangwe extend their heartfelt thanks.
Charity match of Hoffenheim II (U23)
TSG Hoffenheim II (U23) currently plays in the Regionalliga (fourth tier of German football). Two years ago, they held their winter training camp in Namibia. Strong ties with people in Namibia have existed since that time. At the request of the Namibia Support Association, they were happy to host a benefit match in Öhringen to support our children's and youth projects.
This match took place on Sunday, June 29th at the Otto-Meister-Stadion in Öhringen. TSG Hoffenheim II (U23) played the first half against TSG Öhringen and the second half against TSV Pfedelbach. The match ended 2-1 (2-0).
The proceeds from ticket sales and food sales support children and young people in Namibia, e.g. in Okombahe, at the Martin Luther School and at a school in Windhoek where school dropouts can repeat their studies.
TSG Hoffenheim II (U23) currently plays in the Regionalliga (fourth tier of German football). Two years ago, they held their winter training camp in Namibia. Strong ties with people in Namibia have existed since that time. At the request of the Namibia Support Association, they were happy to host a benefit match in Öhringen to support our children's and youth projects.
This match took place on Sunday, June 29th at the Otto-Meister-Stadion in Öhringen. TSG Hoffenheim II (U23) played the first half against TSG Öhringen and the second half against TSV Pfedelbach. The match ended 2-1 (2-0).
The proceeds from ticket sales and food sales support children and young people in Namibia, e.g. in Okombahe, at the Martin Luther School and at a school in Windhoek where school dropouts can repeat their studies.
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A sign in the arid land
The new soup kitchen building in Okombahe was inaugurated at Easter. Approximately 60 neglected children receive a healthy meal three times a week at this soup kitchen. The facility was highly praised at the inauguration, but Alettha, the nurse in Okombahe, also pointed out that there are still no toilets for the many children.
These costs were already factored into the budget: In Namibia, water is very precious and expensive. Therefore, the Namibia Support Association, in consultation with Albertina, the soup kitchen's founder, opted for a special solution: two waterless and odorless toilets! Two Otji toilets, a Namibian product from Otjiwanrongo, with a hand basin, were built and installed in recent weeks. Now there is a toilet for both the boys and the girls, and this is a symbol for Okombahe: The soup kitchen's water bill will not increase as a result. The approximately €2,000 for these Otji toilets with a basin was made possible by numerous donations – including yours.
The new soup kitchen building in Okombahe was inaugurated at Easter. Approximately 60 neglected children receive a healthy meal three times a week at this soup kitchen. The facility was highly praised at the inauguration, but Alettha, the nurse in Okombahe, also pointed out that there are still no toilets for the many children.
These costs were already factored into the budget: In Namibia, water is very precious and expensive. Therefore, the Namibia Support Association, in consultation with Albertina, the soup kitchen's founder, opted for a special solution: two waterless and odorless toilets! Two Otji toilets, a Namibian product from Otjiwanrongo, with a hand basin, were built and installed in recent weeks. Now there is a toilet for both the boys and the girls, and this is a symbol for Okombahe: The soup kitchen's water bill will not increase as a result. The approximately €2,000 for these Otji toilets with a basin was made possible by numerous donations – including yours.
“Thank you very much,” say the children in Okombahe.
You can watch the films about the building's inauguration.
here!
Good Friday and Easter in Okombahe
The Paatz and Knoche couples, members of the Namibia Support Association, spent Easter in Okombahe last year. During the enjoyable three-hour Good Friday service, several local choirs sang, and the German delegation also joined in.
The Easter morning service began in the cemetery, still dark, with much singing. Everyone wore pristine white robes. Short dramatic scenes reenacted the biblical events at the graves. The expectation of resurrection at the graves of loved ones was deeply moving.
The Paatz and Knoche couples, members of the Namibia Support Association, spent Easter in Okombahe last year. During the enjoyable three-hour Good Friday service, several local choirs sang, and the German delegation also joined in.
The Easter morning service began in the cemetery, still dark, with much singing. Everyone wore pristine white robes. Short dramatic scenes reenacted the biblical events at the graves. The expectation of resurrection at the graves of loved ones was deeply moving.
The following is the report of the board of directors at the annual general meeting in spring 2014.
