Dalene Kooper

LÜDERITZ – Mothers of children living with disabilities in Lüderitz have joined hands to establish a disability centre to care for their children. 

The centre was created in response to a shortage of facilities catering to children living with disabilities, and to assist caretakers in improving their ability to care for these children.

This was highlighted by Anschua Martin, a mother of a child with a disability and the manager of the Lüderitz disability centre, during Vice President Lucia Witbooi’s visit to the centre last week. 

“We created this establishment for our kids. We hope to receive some form of professional training to better take care of the kids, because if we, as mothers, cannot stand up, who will stand up for our kids? Any support, including allowance for us and a suitable building, will be helpful,” Martin said.

The centre currently operates from the regional constituency food distribution bank building.

“As a mother, together with Emily Bock, we decided to create something for the kids to come together. Instead of them just sitting at home, doing nothing, just watching TV. So, we brought them here so we can do activities for them, so they can also interact with other kids and learn social skills,” Martin said. 

Vice President praised the mothers for their initiative, describing the centre as a “beacon of hope, dignity and inclusion”.

She expressed appreciation to the caregivers and staff for their dedication, encouraged the community to work together to support the centre, and affirmed the government’s role in such initiatives.

“Together with you, together with the community, we will attend to the concerns. I am encouraging our educators under your leadership to continue nurturing, guiding and supporting the children,” she said.

She emphasized empowering caregivers to strengthen community initiatives. Witbooi handed over a portable toilet, cleaning supplies, portable showers, toilet paper, and diapers.

Witbooi called for continued collaboration to ensure no Namibian child is left behind, stressing the importance of building an inclusive and compassionate society.

“Let us move forward with renewed commitment to ensure that no child is left behind,” she said. The VP also visited the Lüderitz Early Childhood Development Centre, where she encouraged cooperation between the community and parents to maintain and improve the centre’s facilities.

-dkooper@nepc.com.na