By Nuusita Ashipala
OMATANDO – The world brightened up for the Brighter Tomorrow organisation, when the Development Bank of Namibia donated stationery and sanitary products to the organisation that cares for vulnerable children at Omatando village near Ongwediva recently.
Ndapunikwa Mathias, a 23-year-old, established Brighter Tomorrow in June 2013 to feed vulnerable children and children from broken homes every Saturday. The organisation also assists children with homework and offers counselling.
Operating under a tree, Mathias cannot contain her excitement, as she describes her passion of working with children.
Mathias says her motive for starting the organisation was to give hope to children from broken homes and give them a reason to live. “We deal with vulnerable children and children from broken homes, so we try and give them hope to live and to stay focussed with their schoolwork,” relates Mathias. In addition, the organisation encourages children to stay away from alcohol and drugs.
Almost two years after the establishment of Brighter Tomorrow, Mathias’ six co-members and four volunteers are not deterred despite having to operate under harsh conditions of meeting under a tree and collecting firewood to prepare meals every weekend.
“My dream has been realised, what else I can ask for? There is no better fulfilment than seeing ‘my’ children every Saturday. What is more fulfilling is that even without a salary, the members and volunteers that I started the organisation with never gave up,” Mathias relates.
However, Mathias says it has not been an easy ride, because on some weekends they have gone with no food to give to the children because they depend on donations from Good Samaritans. However, she is quick to add that counselling or assisting the children with their homework is equally thrilling.
Mathias holds a certificate in HIV/AIDS counselling that she obtained from the University of Namibia and is waiting for her Diploma in HIV/AIDS management in May this year.
Mathias is appealing for clothes and unwanted toys for “her” children. She is also pleading to the public to erect a proper structure where she and her co-members can operate from to make a difference in these children’s lives.
Currently, the headman of Omatando village, Kanisius Shiindi, has donated a plot from where the group operates.
Development Bank of Namibia’s Portfolio Manager for the Northern Region, Hellen Amupolo, remarked that the donation was initiated to applaud Mathias for the good work – to give back to the community.
“This is just a start, she needs all the resources that she can get; what better way to give back than this?” said Amupolo.
According to Amupolo, the Development Bank of Namibia has committed itself to assist similar organisations yearly.
Brighter Tomorrow accommodates children from as small as two years up to 18 years from all backgrounds.