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 aus Namibia, 25-9-2021 Teil C

Der Völkermord – ein Thema in Khorixas

Auf unserem Weg zu einer Safari ins Damara-Land haben wir für eine Nacht bei Mitgliedern des Posaunenchores in Khorixas geschlafen. Zum vierten Male haben wir nun schon bei Sebastian !Gobs und seiner Familie übernachtet. Sebastian ist wiederum zum Landrat gewählt und Mitglied des kirchlichen Posaunenchores, den wir immer mal wieder mit Instrumenten und Zubehör unterstützen.

Beim Abendessen (ein zünftiger Braai) im Garten war auch sein Vater anwesend, mit dem ich intensiv ins Gespräch kam. Themistokles Murorua ist Mitglied der 72-köpfigen Nationalversammlung, die mit dem Bundestag in Deutschland vergleichbar ist. Der Genozid, der Völkermord an den Hereros und Namas von 1904-08, beschäftigt ihn sehr. Dabei ist ihm besonders wichtig, dass viel gutes Weideland immer noch im Besitz der Nachkommen der früheren Deutschen ist. Als Ausgleich dafür sollten Namibier heute in Deutschland entsprechend viel Land auch bekommen oder Deutschland sollte dafür sorgen, dass das Land hier wieder an die Hereros und Namas zurückgegeben wird. Mein Einwand, dass die meisten Deutsch-Namibier keine Bundesbürger sind, war ihm neu. Veränderungen bei der Landfrage könne nicht von außen kommen, sondern nur von der Nationalversammlung, der er angehöre, und der namibischen Regierung. Außerdem habe der Staat ein Vorkaufsrecht für jeden Farmverkauf und könne mit dem vereinbarten Geld, das von Deutschland bezahlt wird, diese Farmen mit der Zeit zurückkaufen und ihren Namibiern übergeben. Der neuausgehandelte Vertrag um die Zahlungen zwischen Deutschland und Namibia ist hier sehr umstritten. Ich bin gespannt, wie das wird, wenn unser Präsident Walter Steinmeier nach Namibia kommt. Er wird viele Fragen zu beantworten haben, z.B. „Warum werden Hereros und Namas bei Entschädigungen anders behandelt als die Juden?“, aber er hat viel politische Erfahrung und hoffentlich gute Berater. In meinem längeren offenen Gespräch in Khorixas habe ich von Herrn Murorua viel gelernt und er bestätigte der kleinen Versammlung dasselbe von seiner Seite. Wir verabschiedeten uns in der gemeinsamen Beteuerung, dass Völkerverständigung auf offenen, ehrlichen Begegnungen wächst.

Am Rande bemerkt: Sebastiano, der 17jährige Sohn von Sebastian, ist als DJ Abux auf YouTube recht bekannt und sehr beliebt. Mit seiner Musik hat er am Abend die Jüngeren und auch unsere zwei deutschen Gäste sehr begeistert. Auf YouTube scheint er schon 3,8 Mio Klicks zu haben. Pünktlich zur Sperrstunde wurde der Abend vor 22 Uhr beendet.

Post aus Namibia, Teil B

Namibia, 20-9-2021

Ausbildungsprogramm bei COSDEC

Zum ersten Male unterstützen wir als Verein dieses Jahr drei junge Männer bei einer ersten einfachen Ausbildung bei COSDEC in Swakopmund. Emil und Gerson waren auf der Martin-Luther-High-School und haben diese bis Klasse 11, bzw. 10 besucht. Der dritte, Riian, war in Okombahe im Waisenheim und hat die Dibasen-Schule wohl bis Klasse 9 besucht. Alle drei haben die Klassen nicht gut geschafft, und deshalb wollten wir ihnen ein Kurzausbildung als Einstieg in den Beruf ermöglichen.

Emil, der „Office Administration“ (Büroausbildung) macht, hat sich schon zweimal gemeldet und sich für den Kurs bedankt und ein Bild geschickt. Außerdem erwähnte er beim letzten Brief, wie dankbar die gesamte Familie sei, da unsere Verpflegungsunterstützung für ihn die gesamte arbeitslose Familie mit über Wasser hält.

Von Riian und Gerson hatte ich leider nichts gehört. So fuhren meine Frau und ich unangekündigt Montagfrüh zum Ausbildungszentrum bei COSTEC vorbei, um zu sehen, was vor Ort passiert. Dort werden Gerson und Riian als Mauerer ausgebildet. Was wir dort erfuhren war nicht so positiv. Gerson war am Montag, eine Woche zu spät zum ersten Male wieder anwesend, Riian war nicht anwesend, war aber wohl letzte Woche zweimal da. Außerdem hatte Gerson keine Arbeitskleidung, sie sei ihm gestohlen worden. Zusammen mit seinem Lehrer, Adolf Huneb, sprach ich sehr deutlich, aber doch liebevoll, mit ihm, dass es so nicht geht. Dieses Jahr ist seine Chance, er müsse selbstverantwortlich werden, denn nach dem Jahr ist er als Erwachsener auf sich alleine gestellt. Er solle mir bis morgen auch etwas schreiben und mit Riian Kontakt aufnehmen. Am nächsten Tag (Dienstag) werden wir wiederkommen und weiterreden.   Fortsetzung

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.

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.

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, they came 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