Auleria Wakudumo

A 36-year-old foster mother caring for orphans and vulnerable children in Ondiihaluka village in the Ohangwena region is seeking public support to build a dedicated orphanage for the children. The destitute children are currently living with her in her home.

Glemina Ndeshipanda Mwatukange siad she initiated the idea of establishing an orphanage, a
place that is named after Ovakwanyama queen Meekulu Martha Mwadinomho, to provide care and support for vulnerable orphans and neglected children. “As a foster mother, I am only permitted to care for a maximum of seven children, including my own, but I am currently looking after 13 children,” she said.

Due to the rising number of orphans and vulnerable children, “I decided to build a proper orphanage for the children.”  She said since she has been outspoken about her desire to open an orphanage, one day, a friend gifted her a two-bedroom zinc house to help begin her journey. “I receive calls from the ministry of gender equality to take in more children, but it’s challenging to accept them due to a lack of adequate space and rooms,” she said.

Drive

Her motivation to care for orphans and vulnerable children stems from her own experience.

Mwatukange grew up without parents and was raised only by her grandmother, who cared for over 20 children, many of whom were orphans.

From a tender age, she recalls, she was compelled to look after her younger siblings, a responsibility that nearly caused her to drop out of school.

Since then, she vowed to care for children in need, and takes great pride in fulfilling that promise now. Despite failing grade 10, she continued to improve by taking a computer course, and working as an administrative officer at Engela Hospital.

There, Mwatukange said, she got to witness the suffering of neglected children, which rekindled her own childhood memories of being an orphan.

“I began caring for three children, even though they were in critical condition, I gave my all until my babies recovered. Their recovery inspired me to approach the ministry of gender equality for custody and permission to care for orphans and vulnerable children,” she said. Mwatukange said she successfully obtained her licence in 2018. She mentioned that meeting Ovakwanyama queen Meekulu Mwadinomho, who was also involved in similar work, inspired her and she decided to name the orphanage in her honour.

Needs 

Mwatukange said they need more rooms, clothing, blankets and school supplies for the children. She is requesting support from fellow Namibians, especially businesspeople, ministers and anyone who has the vulnerable and orphans at heart, to help build a suitable facility so she can accommodate more children. “I am seeking assistance to prevent child deaths, especially among neglected children, to reduce issues like baby dumping in the country, and child abuse by ensuring that we can make the children’s dreams a reality,” she said.

The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication  and Social Welfare asked them to submit a construction plan for an orphanage to fully benefit from the ministry. However, Mwatukange, who is just in her first year at the Nursing Training Institute of Technology, said due to financial constraints, they have struggled to construct a proper orphanage.

Amidst the challenges, she has a big vision that transcends beyond Ohangwena.

“Once we build an orphanage, we plan to distribute information and baby boxes nationwide, allowing mothers who cannot care for their babies to safely place them in those boxes instead of dumping them,” Mwatukange said. -wakudumoauleria@gmail.com