The steps child Petronella passed her Abitur in 2021 — as the 4th best in her year. Only a total of 4% passed from this school level. We attribute this to the close support structure through the Guardian angel programme in Okakarara back. Petronella has been part of our steps Schutzengel programme since 2010, and in this short interview she will tell us about herself.
Hi, I'm Petronella.
I was born in the Namibian capital Windhoek and grew up in Okakarara, where I also currently live. I grew up with my single mother without my father. He did not die, he just did not like me — but that did not bother me. I have 9 siblings, with whom I currently live together, and I am very happy to have such a large family.
What makes you happy?
I am especially happy when I can help others, because I like it when I am helped. Just as steps does and helps me. Helping makes me happy.
What is your favourite food?
My favourite food is traditional dishes like maize porridge and sour milk with sugar — yummy!!!
Petronella joined steps for children in 2010 in our Schutzengel programme
When you were little — did you expect to pass the Abitur one day?
Of course, when I was little I wished that I would make it. I knew that I could do it — it was in my dreams. For the next 3 years I would like to study, preferably law.
What did I like most at school? That it prepared us and put us on the right path towards a more promising future.
Last year you gave birth to a child — congratulations! How did you manage to juggle both — child and school?
Shooo!!! It was really difficult for me to balance, because sometimes it hurt to leave my baby at home for a few hours. School was hard too, because I had a few sleepless nights and could hardly keep myself awake in class. But at the same time it encouraged me to do even better at school — for my child's future and for myself.
What does steps for children mean to you?
Huh!!! steps for children means a great deal to me; the foundation is a gift from God. I see myself as the luckiest person ever to be allowed to be part of steps. I appreciate the unconditional love and that I can feel so at home here, and above all what steps has done for me and how steps has supported me.
I hope and pray that this unconditional love and kindness will not end here, but will also help future generations of steps for children. My dream would be to one day be part of the steps for children team in order to help the steps children on their path to a self-determined future.
Petronella will apply for a university place in 2023. She is using 2022 to further improve her grade average in person, in order to have better chances of gaining a place on her degree programme of choice.
Dear Petronella, we congratulate you on your matric – it is amazing what you have done, what you have achieved. We are very happy that you have passed and wish you a bright future – we want to support your continued journey.
