steps in Okakarara

Michael Steinbach is currently working for steps for children in Okakarara. The journalist devotes his time during his stay to tasks outside his profession and helps wherever help is needed. In steps this week, he reports on what those tasks are and what challenges he encounters in Namibia — here is the first part: „Still with

[:de] We are also represented this year – on Saturday, 21.11.2015 – with a stand at the Mercado shopping centre in Altona. Our volunteer team will inform you not only about our projects in Namibia and ways to support them from Germany. A skill game for children is just as appealing as the designer bags and accessories for adults

[:de] Over the weekend, we received very sad news from Okakarara. Our long-time employee Catlain “Katjotjo” Kangumine passed away unexpectedly and far too soon on the evening of 5 November. Catlain actively supported Sonja Schneider-Waterberg in coordinating and organising the steps project. Catlain was an important team member. She handled the situation among the employees

[:de] Ulrike Kösters is currently in Okakarara with her husband for 3 months and is involved in the steps project, among other things through “art lessons”. As a trained art teacher and art therapist, she draws on a wealth of experience. She reports: “No, I wouldn’t call them art lessons…. I paint and draw here in Okakarara with the children, who

[:de] Our three new volunteers Sophia Eckert, Judith Schork and Katharina Wagner take care of the sports programme for the children in Okakarara and also promote daily learning through board games. This is how they organise the day: Our day starts with a sports lesson with one of the two pre-school classes, the two kindergarten groups or the toddler group. The kiddies

[:en] Visit our information stand at the Africa Festival ALAFIA on 29 and 30 August in Altona and experience the atmosphere around the theme of Africa with culinary and musical highlights, information and sales stands. If you are not yet familiar with the projects of the steps for children foundation in Namibia and would like to get involved, our team of volunteers will be happy to provide you with friendly information and advice.

The Damberg couple celebrated a milestone birthday and collected donations for steps. Macel Damberg reports: “On the occasion of my wife Britta Damberg’s 40th birthday, the guests supported our “donate instead of giving gifts” campaign by putting their envelopes containing individual donations into a prepared box. In addition, our DJ used the music-request motto “How much is it worth to me

[:de] Kevin Bakirtzis is currently completing a voluntary social year (FSJ) in our project in Okakarara. The high school graduate is not only helping out on site, but also collecting donations from Germany with the help of his family, which are then invested in the renovation of the climbing frame, for example. The old climbing frame was badly in need of renovation due to weathering. It was installed at the new sports ground at

In June, Hobeuken Primary School in Sprockhövel held a sponsored run to support „steps for children“ in Okakarara. Encouraged by their daughter Karoline Piepel, who is currently completing a weltwärts year at our first project site in Namibia, Gotelind Heidbrink-Piepel ensured everything ran smoothly and was thrilled to report about the athletic participants: „Despite constant rain, all 104