Okakarara Namibia

The first children’s aid project of the steps for children Foundation initiated by Dr. Michael Hoppe was launched in the central north of Namibia close to the Waterberg in March 2006.

Since its launch the project in Okakarara has grown considerably. We started with 2 steps, a soup kitchen and a preschool for 30 children, in one room and a tiny kitchen in a house owned by the Red Cross. By that time we had 4 employees: 2 teachers, 1 cook and one project coordinator. Only a few years later we run 12 steps and employ 20 local people on a 1,750 m² plot owned by the project with one permanent and 3 mobile houses, a 1.200 m² plot for the new preschool and soup kitchen as well as a 1.000 m² plot with a guesthouse.

Special about this project are the income generating steps which distinguish steps for children from almost all other organisations. The income generating steps are modules which sustain themselves financially and still earn a contribution to the social steps. This way the project will become independent of donations and development aid in the long run.

Through the different already existing income generating steps and foremost through the planting of 1664 olive trees close to Okakarara the project can reach this vision within a few years. Sustainability, help to help oneself and professionalism are most important to us.

steps for children has grown by adding new modules – step by step – and is still growing. The project in Okakarara is our pilot project and will also be introduced in other countries of the South. The steps for children Foundation is the main sponsor of the project.

In the town of Okakarara and its vicinity live altogether about 8,500 people half of which are children and youths under the age of 18. With an HIV/Aids rate higher than average (about 35%, amongst the pregnant women tested as many as 60% are HIV positive) and an unusually high unemployment rate of more than 65% and a high number of orphans help is particularly necessary. Without our commitment the children catered for at steps for children Okakarara would most likely not receive any formal education and would end up in the known circle of poverty, alcohol and Aids.

Look at our steps so far: 7 steps are income generating measures for the longterm financing of the project of the currently 4 social steps with cost free aid and education offers for disadvantaged children. Or read which further steps are in the planning stage.