By Obrein Simasiku
WINDHOEK – Residents of Rehoboth have benefited from N$518 000 through the self-help fund from the U.S. Embassy.
This came after the U.S Ambassador Thomas Daughton officially inaugurated an expanded computer lab in Rehoboth on Sunday.
According to Priscilla Hernandez the public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy, the newly expanded Orange Babies Computer Lab is one of the grassroots initiatives the U.S. Embassy is supporting through the Ambassador’s Self-Help Fund this year.
The Ambassador said the Orange Babies Computer Lab is an off-shoot of an HIV/AIDS support centre aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment through computer skills training for women, youth, and the vulnerable populations.
“The computer lab provides introductory level classes in computer basics, keyboarding and Microsoft Word,” stated Daughton
The fund also provides finance for small, community-based projects initiated and administered at local level and generally include significant contributions in cash, labour, or materials from the community and are expected to be self-sustaining
“The project promotes the livelihood development, access to clean water and educational programme support,” said Hernandez.
Five more projects from the Erongo, Hardap, Ohangwena, Omaheke and Omusati regions benefited from the self-help fund.
On behalf of the U.S Embassy Daughton said the embassy is happy to partner with the committed staff of the Orange Babies Computer Lab who are taking steps to make a difference in their community.