5 Highlights of the project trip
by foundation founder Michael Hoppe and Board Member Andreas Roß
In spring, i.e. the Namibian autumn, it was that time again – foundation founder Michael Hoppe and Board Member Andreas Roß travelled together to Namibia and Zimbabwe on a project trip and spent a good two weeks participating in team meetings, visiting the steps facilities, analysing successes and progress together with the respective site management and National Coordinator Sonja Schneider-Waterberg, planning changes and restructuring relevant to the future, and addressing challenges.
If you are planning a trip to Namibia yourself soon – why not visit some of these places and see for yourselves what your donations can achieve.
1. learning location Rehoboth
On the very first day after our arrival, we travelled to Rehoboth to visit the Otto Xamseb facility and our partner organisation Bridge of Hope.
At Bridge of Hope, even more children who are not receiving kindergarten and preschool care at steps are to be provided with warm meals in the future.
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At Otto Xamseb, we are providing our steps children with increasingly stimulating play opportunities and learning environments.
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2. extensions in Gobabis
Afterwards, we went to Gobabis, where possible renovation work was discussed and further activities are planned: a steps crèche and kindergarten group will be established in the former rooms of the computer school. This enables us to offer children from Epako, the neighbouring impoverished area, early childhood education and support, laying the foundation for their further educational journey. Nevertheless, we will continue to work with our cooperation partner Light for the Children and enrol our kindergarten children in the preschool at Light for the Children.
The former PC school, which is now to be given a new use.
l. to r. Sonja Schneider-Waterberg, Jackie Sanjath and Michael Hoppe in the former PC school.
Martha Naris, pictured here on the left, looks after the guest house in Gobabis and talks to Sonja Schneider-Waterberg.
3rd Happy Birthday Okakarara
The big celebration for the 18th birthday of steps Okakarara took place on 15 March 2024. The first steps facility, which started with 30 children in a preschool and soup kitchen in Namibia in 2006, now supports over 200 children and young people. With many, very appreciative words, the team in Okakarara, members of the trust and close companions as well as invited guests - but also you, dear supporters and sponsors - celebrated the birthday together.
Here you can read the wonderful entries in our guestbook again:
The birthday in pictures:
Dear supporters and friends, we are delighted that we were able to celebrate the 18th birthday of our first steps project! Without your continued support, it would hardly have been possible for us to reach this age of majority. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your commitment in so many different areas.
4. news from Windhoek
No children were present at our newest facility, Single Quarter in Katutura, due to the holidays.
As a result of various planning meetings, we have been able to admit more children to a new pre-school group since April. You can read more about this here:
5. off to Zimbabwe
After four years, the Board of Directors has now been able to travel to Zimbabwe again and visit the projects that have been created through the cooperation with Plan International and Stiftung Hilfe mit Plan. Due to the tight time frame, they mainly looked at the income-generating measures. Michael Hoppe and Andreas Roß were fascinated by the progress and success of the project to date:
“We were impressed by the tireless commitment of the people on the ground in Zimbabwe. They successfully adapted the fish ponds and even created additional ponds after the funding ended so that they could support themselves. These income-generating measures provide a long-term source of income for the participating community and help reduce bitter poverty.”
Would you like to get to know our steps facilities in Namibia in person?
Then learn more about the opportunities here:
