Rundu
The Theresia Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Foundation, a charity that shelters vulnerable children and orphans, received a donation of pots, plates and cups on Tuesday.
The donation came from proceeds generated from a fun day organised earlier this month by the Windhoek-based Children’s House Kindergarten.
Vera De Cauwer, parent to one of the children at the Windhoek kindergarten, handed over the items to Elizabeth Hilger, a Rundu-based businesswomen, who founded and runs the Mavanze opharnage, which is named after her mother.
The Theresia Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Foundation cares for needy children, mainly from Mavandje and Sharukwe villages in Kavango West Region some 15 kilometres south of Rundu.
“This is a donation from Children’s House Kindergarten and in total we will give N$5,300 but for now we only bought plates, cups and pots,” Vera De Cauwer explained.
“We really appreciate the donation and this means a lot to us, especially that it is coming from a kindergarten in Windhoek. It means that they trust and care for our foundation and this will be used with care,” said Hilger, the inspirational figure behind the orphanage.
“The more donors we have it shows the trust that we have built up in society and the nation at large. Maybe in future we can have some programmes in place to introduce our kids to the Children’s House Kindergarten and so on,” Hilger said.
In addition to the occassional donations the orphanage receives, they also cultivate vegetables to feed needy children and have embarked on a gardening project to plant Moringa Oleifera, leaves used to make medicinal tea for the children and for use by TB and other patients.
The plant is said to be a good source of protein, calcium, iron and beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A, C and E. Hilger also offers courses to nearby community members, specifically women in sewing, baking and small scale agriculture.
The foundation was started in 2006, is registered with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and its books are annually audited.