From guardian angel child to student in Namibia

In Okakarara, a small place in Namibia, Clenda was born 20 years ago. There she grew up, with her single mother. But Clenda was by no means raised by her mother alone – she lived together with her whole family in Okakarara: with her grandmother, her uncles and aunts, her siblings, cousins and cousins.

„On my mother’s side there are 4 of us in total, 2 girls and 2 boys and I am the first born. We are probably 18 in total at home.“

Clenda’s father had to return to his home country of Angola when she was five years old. Since then, she has had no close relationship with him.

„At first it was hard for me to stay without him but then suddenly got used to it.“

Life situation

„In our neighbourhood we have no running water or electricity. We use candles for light at night, we get water from public water points and use firewood for cooking. At home we have 5 rooms, in which the children have their own separate room.“

„In our neighborhood we have got no water nor electricity so we use public taps and candles as light at night when it comes to cooking we use firewood. We have got 5 rooms in total at home and all the children have got their separate room.“

School

Since her first day at school, Clenda has been accompanied by steps. When asked in the past what she wanted to be, her answer was: doctor.

Clenda thinks, „the worst thing about it was that I had no idea that I wouldn’t simply become a doctor automatically after Year 12.“

As she gets older, she realises that this career goal doesn’t suit her, because she doesn’t deal well with wounds and pain.

From Year 8

From Year 8, Clenda no longer had any idea what she wanted to become. In Year 11, she decided to study something related to science because she was really interested in it at the time.

„But then when I finished school I decided to go do education because when it comes to jobs in Namibia you must choose wisely or else you will sit with your degree at home jobless.“

But when she finishes school, she decides to study education. Because when it comes to jobs in Namibia, you have to choose wisely, otherwise you’ll sit at home with your degree and be unemployed. And the education degree, she says, is one of the courses in which you would more easily get a job. In addition, she likes helping others make progress in their training.

I like!

„When I look at my favorites I really love meat and macaroni, I love listening to gospel music, my favorite colour is white and I really like joking around.“

What I do best

„I am a type of person who really cares about others and would like to help those who need support in future, which is one of the most important lessons I learned from steps.“

„And in conclusion I hope all will go as planned and be a huge example for others especially my siblings as I am the very first child to reach university in my family.“

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