A family of 18, which depends on subsistence farming in Ohainengena village, Ohangwena region, is appealing to the public for assistance after a fire broke at their homestead last week, burning down four huts last week. 

Village headman Festus Paulus, who confirmed the incident, wrote a letter, appealing for assistance on behalf of the family. 

According to Paulus, the accident left Ndiikoyele Ndamononghenda without her national documents (ID and birth certificate), pension card, bank card, church certificate and clothes.

 All her personal belongings burned in the fire.

“The fire was caused by a five-year-old who was playing with fire, and it spread quickly to other huts,” said the headman.

In the letter he released, the process of bringing the fire under control was delayed, as there were no people around when the fire broke out. There were only children at home, and there was no water. 

Family spokesperson Ferdinand Kamati (30) is pleading for public assistance to help them after their house was gutted by fire.

“Everything we owned was burned in the fire. Our beds, food, pots, utensils, our clothes – to mention a few – were all lost in the fire,” he explained. Kamati said they seek assistance with mattresses, as their beds also burned to ashes.

While they are grateful for the assistance from the neighbours, Kamati said they need to replace their blankets and seeds for sowing. 

– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na