WINDHOEK - Two churches have sprung to the aid of a destitute Babylon father who begs on the streets to raise his daughter who suffers from a chronic illness.

Since New Era recently ran the story several good Samaritans have shown a keen interest to assist Johannes Kasera, 33, and his 11-year-old daughter.

The father and daughter share a one-bedroom shack in Babylon informal settlement where they sleep on the same bed and share the same blankets, bringing into sharp focus the issue of poverty in Namibia.
To supplement his government social grants which only last about two weeks, Kasera goes on the streets to beg for food or money. He emphasised that it is difficult for his daughter to take her medication if there is no food at home.

Touched by the story a Pentecostal Protestant Church (PPC) pastor who preferred anonymity visited Kasera on Tuesday evening and handed him a food parcel. The pastor said they added Kasera on their list and he will receive food parcels for the next three months while he looks for a job.
The pastor said Kasera was also welcome to attend their church but it should be out of his own free will so that he could get religious inspiration.

Seventh-day Adventist church member Iven Chilinda donated food and toiletries. Chilinda said this will not be the last time he visits Kasera. He will return and sit down and talk to Kasera man-to-man to encourage him.

An emotional Kasera, who said there were days when he contemplated suicide as his situation was unbearable, thanked Chilinda for his gesture.

He also thanked his neighbour Loide Nambundunga who has been assisting through days when he had nothing to eat.

“Daddy, thank you so much. God bless you,” he said to Chilinda.