Today, we would like to introduce you to a fixture at steps for children in Gobabis who has been involved locally since the project began. Initially, she worked as a cleaner for the premises at steps, but after only a short time, the children and young people took her into their hearts and included her fully in the project because of her empathy and her ability to help the children in a loving way. With plenty of temperament and energy , she still cleans the classrooms and offices in the project in the mornings—but in the afternoons, she teaches the younger children together with another teacher and helps them with their homework.  The 42-year-old is clever—because although she cannot use a computer and speaks little English, she knows how to motivate the children and always manages to tackle school assignments together with them.  Recently, there was an assignment in which the children had to research the different sheep breeds of Namibia for a poster at school—including the Karakul sheep imported at the beginning of the last century and the sheep renamed Swakara in Namibia in 2013. Since she cannot use a computer herself, she researches together with the children in front of the computer—and just like that, the children practice using digital tools. Aletta helps them focus and filter out the right information. And she does this in their mother tongue, meaning the children's mother tongue—in Kheo-Kheo Gowab, one of the more than seven tribal languages spoken in Gobabis. The children then learn English with the other teacher—because the afternoon care always takes place under the supervision of at least two teachers, and one of them always speaks English. She herself has five children—her youngest is now in 11th grade and is a steps Schutzengelkind. She has a good chance of being accepted into the steps students program within the next few years.  

“I have known Aletta for more than 10 years, and I am impressed by the development she has made, even though she is quite ill. The children love her for her empathetic and hands-on nature, and she is an irreplaceable caregiver in Gobabis for the Schutzengelkind children and the steps homes children and young people. She has supported us with her empathy and energy since the beginning of our collaboration with our local partner project in 2010.” 

Dr. Michael Hoppe
Founder of steps for children