okakarara
Locations Okakarara and Ongomombone*
Region
Otjozondjupa
location
approx. 300 km north of the capital Windhoek
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population
approx. 8.000
population
predominantly Herero
History
The Waterberg is a few kilometers away. The Herero revolt against German colonial power took place there in 1904.
orphans
Up to 50% of the children are orphans or children in special need.
Education
Over half of the population in this region only attended primary school. Almost 90% of the secondary school's graduation class does not graduate.
Unemployment
Very high, in the poor neighborhoods over 80%.
Sources: Government of Namibia; internal key figures
Project: steps for children
Management: Sonja Schneider-Waterberg
Number of children: approx. 251
Project founded: 2006
History: In Okakarara the first of Dr. Michael Hoppe initiated the children's aid project of the steps for children foundation, which was supported and financially supported by the couple Gertrud and Jürgen Schmotz from the beginning. It has grown very much since it was founded. Started steps in a Red Cross house (in which the sewing room founded by the Schmotz couple was based) with two social steps, a soup kitchen and preschool for 30 children, in one room and with a tiny kitchen. At that time there were four employees: two teachers, a cook and a project manager.
Today: There are now more social and Income generating steps as well as the additional location Ongombombonde, just 8 km away. Here is the vegetable garden and since 2018 children have also been taught in kindergarten and preschool on the premises. steps for children is the second largest private employer in the region with over 25 employees. On average, around 10 relatives are provided for each employee *.
Effect: At both locations, the children experience loving care and versatile support. The Guardian Angel children in particular develop into healthy and independent young people who successfully complete school and thus have good career prospects. Your success is a role model for younger children. steps helps to make the value of education visible and thus changes the awareness and behavior of local people.
Soup kitchen, creche, kindergarten, preschool, afternoon care, guardian angel children
Sewing room, guest houses, vegetable garden
Experienced a lot and learned a lot Sophie has already seen a lot in the short time she has been with steps in Okakarara,...
Who is Johanna? One of the first to start studying with the support of steps for children in Windhoek...
Organic cultivation in Namibia From a simple garden to organic production - the conversion to organic cultivation in Namibia at steps...
Moro Moro (= hello in Otjiherero) from Okakarara, Namibia! I'm Magali, 34 years old, educator and in 2021...
Hello from Namibia! Pauline says hello from Namibia! Since August 2022 she has been part of the weltwärts program for one year...
The development of the first income generating project. In Okakarara the first was created by Dr. Michael Hoppe initiated the children's aid project of the ...
The guardian angel child Petronella passed her Abitur in 2021 - as the 4th best of the grade. Only a total of 4% have from this...
We asked Julius a few small questions in Okakarara to give you an insight into the project work in Namibia...
Hi! I'm Paula and I've been in Okakarara for a month (since 19.01.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX). Together with Julius and Johanna,...

"The basics in child development are laid in the first years of life. The kindergarten teachers, preschool teachers and their assistants receive further training with the financial support of steps. The better educated they are, the more solid the foundations that the children take care of with steps. "