By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – The Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on Tuesday donated furniture and furnishings worth N$340 000 to Penduka.
Penduka is situated on the edge of the Goreangab Dam in Katutura. It is divided into Penduka General and Penduka TB. Penduka General consists of Penduka production, which includes Batik, embroidery, glass-making and pottery.
It also has the hospital and conference facilities, as well as accommodation and traditional groups.
The donation that will be used to enhance and improve the services of Penduka includes beds and mattresses, chairs, an oven, fridge water filter, paddle boats, fencing material and sewing machines.
The main aim of Penduka is to help rural women from across the country create their own jobs by building on and improving their skills.
Turkish Ambassador Deniz Cakar who officially donated the items to Penduka said members of TIKA first visited Namibia and Penduka 10 months ago. “Today TIKA already set up its resident office in Windhoek and started to deliver its projects one after another,” said Cakar.
Cakar said when women are economically emancipated they in turn build strong economies, establish more stable and just societies and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities at large.
“As a woman, I am exceptionally pleased to be part of this event to hand over the items of the wish list of the Penduka administration. These will assist their empowerment through their economic liberation,” said Cakar.
Chairperson of the Penduka Board, Selma Imene-Schutt, expressed appreciation for TIKA’s gesture. She noted that the women at the centre will benefit greatly from the donation, adding that they have great potential.
Women lack managerial and business skills and hence training in this regard will empower them, she added.
Imene-Schutt urged the business community to emulate TIKA’s example to contribute towards meeting the needs of Penduka women.