Monika Amunyela
At just 22 years old, Justina Shafewange is a university student, security guard, entrepreneur, and founder of Hearts in Hands Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children.
Born and raised in Windhoek, Shafewange faced financial challenges growing up, yet she was fortunate to receive a quality education and became the first on her mother’s side to complete grade 12 and attend university.
“My childhood life was not easy. My mom was very strong; she would sell Tombo and Kapana,” said Shafewange, further stating that her mom’s strength reminds her to work hard every day.
The student shared that she benefited from support from NGOs and generous individuals who paid her school fees, bought her stationery, and provided uniforms when her mother was unable to during certain periods. According to her, her experiences gave her deep empathy for children facing hardship and a belief that even the smallest act of kindness can have a big impact. Shafewange balances school at the International University of Management (IUM) during the day and her security guard job at night, doing her school assignments at work when it gets quiet and attending to hassle of student life during the day.
“Sometimes from work I would quickly change my uniform and wear casual clothes for school, from school I would go straight to work, two days can go by without eating a proper meal at home,” she said.
To support herself and her family, Shafewange started a small business selling shoes and perfumes, helping her earn extra income. Her aim was not only to be financially independent but also to help others in her community, especially children.
“I did not really mind what job I got; the aim was to get financial independence and to be able to fund my charity,” she said.
Even with limited resources, she never became discouraged from giving back to her community. This led to the creation of the Hearts in Hands Foundation, which exists to improve the well-being and future opportunities of vulnerable children by providing support such as mentorship, academic assistance, nutrition, and basic necessities.
The foundation helps children of all ages and supports families, especially mothers with newborns.
“I want to create a world where every child can dream big, regardless of their circumstances. I aim to extend our support into schools, providing mentorship, tutoring, and holistic guidance,” said Shafewange.
When asked about the advice she has for other youngsters who are afraid of being judged for doing numerous jobs, she said, “No job is too small or too humble when it’s done with honesty and dedication. Success comes from the effort you put in, not shortcuts.”