John Muyamba
DIVUNDU – Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said efforts aimed at raising funds for Namibia’s needy orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) should be commended and supported by all. The PM noted that national efforts to support vulnerable compatriots will only yield the desired outcomes if all stakeholders pull in the same direction.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was speaking during the Mukwe Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth Service (MOVCS) gala dinner on Saturday night, aimed at raising funds for the non-governmental organisation (NGO). On behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Kuugongelwa-Amadhila pledged N$5 000 and supported the initiative by buying a table for N$5 000. “I call upon all stakeholders to continue working together in support of the OVCs and the youth,’’ she added.
The premier announced that the Rani Group, through the OPM, pledged N$20 000, while TUNACOR pledged to assist with the construction of the NGO’s planned orphanage, provided land is allocated to the NGO.
At the end of the night, the gala dinner raised N$85 850. Additionally, the Divundu Village Council completed the night by pledging to assist the NGO with serviced erven for a permanent presence in the village.
The Mukwe OVC is currently financially assisting 26 students at tertiary institutions, and also helping school-going orphans and vulnerable children, including many from the San community.
With 18 board members who voluntarily run the Mukwe OVC, the organisation also supports vulnerable members of the community and offers youth support services.
“It’s a welfare and non-profit, non-political and non-religious and non-cultural organisation. It’s based in the Mukwe constituency, but benefits go to any identified person in need anywhere in the country, if funds are available. Our mission is to raise vulnerable orphans and children as well as all the needy through education, shelter and feeding as well as care for their well-being and to create employment for youths,” said social work graduate Aron Mundanya, who started the project with a N$5 000 taken from his first salary. The initial funds from Mundanya were used, with assistance from other NGO members, to build a makeshift house for a vulnerable family at the Andara village in the constituency. The overall objective of the NGO is to build an orphanage in Divundu.