KHORIXAS – Naftalie !Ameb aged 55, who was crippled by a debilitating stroke in 1977, says his major wish is to have access to safe running water close to his corrugated iron shack.
He lives in Khorixas’ Donkerhoek location.
!Ameb was on his way to visit a relative when New Era caught up with him. “Ek kry swaar (I’m struggling),” a teary !Ameb says as he ponders on the struggles he daily endures.
He has to walk a distance of about one kilometre to fetch water because not many taps are functional in the location.
“I carry small containers when I’m going to fetch water. I’m really struggling. I do not have family, as most of them died. The ones who are left do not really visit me unless I go to them,” he says, as he tries to suppress some tears.!Ameb survives on a monthly disability grant. He does not complain about it. “I ask people to wash my clothes and then I pay them because I cannot walk around with dirty clothes,” he naratted.
He says he prepares his own food and walks to town to get his monthly grant, which makes him survive. !Ameb says he has a teenaged child, who schools in Windhoek but most of his family members, including his partner, have died.