IWAN visits the Child Development Foundation

My friend Kelly Powell (the other Fulbrighter's wife) and I joined a women's group several months ago. The group, IWAN (International Women's Association of Namibia), consists of women from around the world. Their objective is to do good works as well as socialize (of course).

We meet every Tuesday morning for what's termed our "coffee morning". Most of the time, we meet at a member's house to discuss all of the group's on-going projects and have a chance to interact in a comfortable setting. Sometimes, however, we make visits out in the community. This past Tuesday, we went out to the Child Development Foundation near Goreangab Dam on the outskirts of Windhoek. The Foundation is affiliated with one of the town's Christian schools, All Nations School. They are a mission school that provides care and schooling for orphans and vulnerable children. It is a non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit organization. It was established in 2003 to help improve the quality of life of orphans and vulnerable children by feeding, educating and caring for those in need. They service over 65 children. They are regularly audited and have impressed the ladies of our executive committee with their good management skills.

Part of our visit included awarding the center's director, Ms. Ansie Maré, with a grant for the purchase of playground equipment. (See above photo.) IWAN has already ordered the items which will arrive at the end of the month, but we wanted to surprise the director and boy did we! She was nearly in tears, overwhelmed by the magnanimity of the gift. Additionally, we brought over a box of toiletries for use among the kids: toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap. She nearly cried over this as well.

Ansie told us about a program that she is launching entitled, "Adopt an Orphan". You don't get to keep the child, but you do get to assume his monthly financial obligation to help relieve the financial stress on the center. Remember the center feeds each child two meals a day, helps to provide clothing, educates the children and provides transport to and from the child's home. Ansie will update you on the child's development throughout the year should you choose to participate. She can be reached at the following e-mail address: child@iway.na. I can also provide you with the center's banking details if you would just like to donate to its cause; just e-mail me.

Unfortunately, the center doesn't as of yet have a web presence. Kelly and I are going to try to help Ansie at least create a blog so that she can chronicle the center's progress at no cost. That's really funny that here in Namibia, I am considered a tech guru. My friends from Catholic who are reading this are probably laughing out loud.....

The photos are, of course, of our excutive committee members handing over the grant for the playgorund equipment to Ansie in the middle. The other is of IWAN's membership listening to Ansie's presentation in the school cafeteria. The third is of one of the teachers providing one on one instruction to a learner.