WINDHOEK – A fundraising dinner by the Namibia Network of AIDS Service Organizations (NANASO) last week in Windhoek raised more than N$130 000 according to NANASO Executive Director, Sandie Tjaronda.
“This is an important step in the right direction and will bring out the best practices as the country is formulating the best approach for sustaining the programmes and projects that are at risk due to the withdrawal of donors,” he said yesterday. Among those who attended the event were the heads of various ministries, business people and members of the community. In the statement of the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, devilvered on his behalf by Advocate Bience Gawanas, he commended the NANASO board and management for their vision in taking action in saving critical programmes from being phased out.
Kamwi urged individuals and corporations to become active strategic partners in reducing reliance on external donor funding by committing resources to the work of civil society organisations, which play a critical role in the delivery of essential services to communities and society at large. “I wish to express my appreciation to you for supporting this cause and congratulate NANASO for organising this event. I am reliably informed that the proceeds from this event will be channelled to support programmes targeting people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children,” he added. The Namibia Port Authority (Namport) donated N$50 000 with Namport’s spokesperson, Liz Sibindi, saying the port authority is very sensitive towards the plight of communities, particularly people living with HIV and the exposure of youths to new infections. “We at Namport value and treasure a healthy workforce as a strong ingredient for business growth and economic development,” she said, adding that the plight and the state of HIV & Aids organisations in the country is a matter of serious concern and hence the company’s donation. NANASO has teamed up with New Era Publication Corporation (NEPC) in a drive to collect food for people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children.
By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa