Our Year 1 Nursing Students Shilipa Christiaan and Uaanao Humbu impressively show just how much courage, perseverance and hope there is in the children and young people who grow up with steps for children. Both began their educational journey in our steps preschools, were admitted to the Schutzengel programme in first grade - and today stand on the threshold of a profession that will change their lives and those of many others.
Shilipa Christiaan – from preschool child to aspiring nurse
Shilipa is 21 years old, lives in Okakarara and is the eldest of eight siblings. steps has accompanied her since 2011 - back then still in preschool with educator Melba.
Her path was not always easy: she repeated Grade 5, completed Grade 11 in 2023, but had to improve her points and took a course to improve her points at NAMCOL. With support from steps in three subjects, she fought her way through - Mathematics remained her favourite subject.
Today she is studying in Year 1 Nursing at Welwitchia Health Training Centre, Kombat Campus. She has already successfully completed the one-year preparatory course „Foundation of Health Science“. She is currently gaining her first practical experience at the hospital in Okakarara.
“I was inspired by my sponsors because they believed in me even when I failed… They motivated me a lot.”
Her career wish was clear from an early age: nurse. One day, Shilipa wants to be a registered nurse, helping children who cannot afford school.
Uaanao Humbu – once a Schutzengel child, now a steps student
Uaanao is 20 years old and lives with her grandmother and four siblings in Okakarara. She has been part of steps since 2013 - starting in preschool with educator Lena. Uaanao also had to overcome setbacks and repeated Grade 10 before completing Grade 11 in 2024. Mathematics was also her favourite subject, and like many children from Okakarara, she lived in the hostel from secondary school onwards.
Today Uaanao is also studying in Year 1 Nursing at Welwitchia Health Training Centre in Kombat. She has successfully completed the preparatory course and is currently gaining practical experience at the hospital in Okakarara.
She used to want to become a teacher, but her points were not enough for that. So she decided to study Nursing and found her path in it. In her free time, she likes to spend time with netball and music.
“My dream is to become a registered nurse… so I start helping or supporting others the way steps supported me.”
One year skipped
Normally, the preparatory course for the Bachelor’s degree takes two years, but due to the particularly good performance both Shilipa and Uaanao were exempted from the second year and were allowed to move on to the Bachelor’s course after just one year!
Shilipa and Uaanao stand for many young people who, through steps for children, receive opportunities that would otherwise have been denied to them. It shows how valuable long-term support is and how strong children can become when someone believes in them.
Education changes lives!
Both young women carry their dreams with impressive determination — and we are proud to be able to accompany them on this journey.
If you would also like to support the educational journey
of our guardian angel children and steps students:
