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In this newsletter, we take you through the latest developments in our nutrition campaign – and there is plenty to discover. You’ll also learn how our students are getting off to a flying start thanks to your continued support, and hear about a workshop and further progress in our education centres. Whether it’s freshly baked bread, vegetables at harvest, new homes for staff or children beaming as they brush their teeth: Everywhere, we can feel the impact of your support.
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Dive into the stories behind these moments and see for yourself what your support makes possible.
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steps in Namibia
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Warm blankets for the Namibian winter
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Winter in Namibia is approaching in quick steps – and it will be cold again. So that our guardian angel children and young people can get through the nights warm and safe, we want to provide them with 240 warm blankets.
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One blanket costs 15 euros. Together, we want to raise 3,600 euros to provide for all guardian angel children at our steps locations.
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Every donation warms – in the truest sense of the word.
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Help us keep the cold at bay and give a sense of security.
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Support now and make a blanket possible:
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Nutrition campaign - an update
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Our nutrition campaign is in full swing! Since the beginning of 2025, we have been working to improve nutrition at our locations. And that’s not all: with new and expanded soup kitchens, even more children from the surrounding informal settlements are set to benefit. Here you can get an insight into what we are currently working on...
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Every donation helps us to improve the nutritional situation of the steps children in Namibia sustainably.
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Donate now to the nutrition campaign – every contribution counts!
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Two friends, one shared goal:
Become a nurse
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Our Year 1 Nursing Students Shilipa Christiaan and Uaanao Humbu impressively show how much courage, perseverance and hope there is in the children and young people growing up with steps for children. Both began their educational journey in our steps preschools, were accepted into 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.
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Skipped a year: Normally, the preparatory course for the Bachelor takes two years, but due to their particularly strong performance, both Shilipa and Uaanao were exempted from the second year and were allowed to move on to the Bachelor course after just one year!
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The two 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 life paths!
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Both young women are following their dreams with impressive determination – and we are proud to be able to accompany them on this path.
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If you would also like to support the educational journey
of our Schutzengel children and steps students:
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Expansion of the pre-school area in Gobabis
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At the steps site in Gobabis, there is wonderful news for the little ones: we have opened our own kindergarten and pre-school. The former computer school and the adjoining room were completely converted for this purpose – today they are colourful, lively learning spaces, filled daily with life by many children and their carers.
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With every donation for pre-school education, we create exactly such places:
Spaces where children can play, learn and grow safely.
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Planting project with the children in Gobabis:
small seedlings, big impact
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At our kindergarten and pre-school children in Gobabis, a learning project with plants could once again begin: Several plants and seedlings have arrived from Ongombombonde, and are now being cared for by the Schutzengel children in the afternoon programme. With great curiosity and lots of enthusiasm, the children are learning how to plant young plants properly, how often they need to be watered, and why attention and patience are so important for their growth. For many children, this is a wonderful opportunity to take on a bit of responsibility – and that is exactly what makes this project so valuable.
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The photos show how engaged the children are: they carefully place the seedlings into the soil and water the delicate little plants with a watering can. A lovely example of how practical experience Self-confidence strengthens and at the same time conveys knowledge about nature and sustainability.
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Spontaneously to Namibia?
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Do you know someone who would like to travel spontaneously to Namibia for 3 - 6 months and support our children and young people in the educational centres? Here in Okakarara and Gobabis, you get an authentic insight into the work and gain valuable intercultural experience. We currently have places available again in our volunteer programme!
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📅Flexible start possible from June 2026
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For an initial conversation, you can get in touch here without any fuss: info@stepsforchildren.de
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How we want to get steps children in Namibia rolling
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Do you still remember your first moment on two wheels - that wobbly setting off, the firm grip on the handlebars, the little surge of courage that suddenly turned into a big feeling of freedom?
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This is exactly the experience we want to give children in Namibia. Ronny and Markus, both passionate cyclists, have been taking part in various races in the steps jersey since 2024 to raise awareness of the steps children in Namibia.
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Their goal: Balance bikes for the steps site in Okakarara, so that the little ones can develop balance, courage and self-confidence in a playful way. Two robust models are to make the start - later, larger bicycles and further locations are to follow. For the children, balance bikes mean: more movement, more independence, more „I can do that!“. To get this project moving, Ronny and Markus are collecting donations - and every bit of support brings the children a little further on their way to an active, self-determined future.
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Together, we get steps children in Namibia rolling.
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How you can also start a fundraising campaign
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Start your own fundraising campaign or join forces with others, as our volunteers have done - for a birthday, anniversary, graduation or another special occasion.
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Share the campaign with family, friends and colleagues - easily via social media, messenger or e-mail too. If you have any questions, we'll be happy to help. The kids are delighted!
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Donation receipts now sent by e-mail in a resource-saving way
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To save staff capacity, printing materials and postage costs, we will send your donation receipts from now on at the beginning of the following year by email. This enables us to reduce administrative costs and make a small but important contribution to protecting our natural resources together. If you would still like to receive your certificate by post, simply send a short message to info@stepsforchildren.de
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Thank you for supporting us – not only in our work for children in Namibia, but also on our path towards greater sustainability.
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Inspiring discussion panel in Berlin:
Help for self-help in focus
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On 27 May, steps for children had the special opportunity to take part in a panel talk at the Hamburg Representation in Berlin . Foundation founder Dr Michael Hoppe discussed sustainable development approaches in Africa there together with Prof. Dr Michael Otto, philanthropist and entrepreneur. The discussion was moderated by Michael Krake from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
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At the centre was a topic that drives us at steps for children every day: Help people to help themselves.
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Just as the Cotton made in Africa foundation strengthens around 900,000 cotton farmers in ten African countries and enables them to achieve economic independence, steps for children follows a similar path: income-generating projects such as agriculture, guest houses and sewing workshops support our educational initiatives in southern Africa in the long term. The exchange impressively showed how entrepreneurial approaches can have a sustainable impact – and how important it is to empower people to shape their lives independently.
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We thank all those involved, the hosts and the interested audience for this inspiring exchange and for valuing our work.
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Warm thanks for a wonderful
Charity reading with Peter Prange
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On 31 May, we were delighted to experience a wonderful charity reading: renowned author Peter Prange read from his latest work „Herrliche Zeiten – Die Himmelsstürmer“ in the atrium of the New Living Home.
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With vivid storytelling, humour and impressive historical expertise, he immediately captivated the audience. The event was musically accompanied by concert pianist Michi Komoto, whose playing enriched the afternoon in a special way.
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Our sincere thanks go to Lions Club Hamburg-Airport, New Generation and New Living Home for organising this event – and to all the guests who support our work with their attendance and admission donation. The entire proceeds will go to steps for children and help us continue to make educational and social projects possible for disadvantaged children in Namibia, as we have done for the past 20 years.
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We are deeply grateful for the support, interest and trust in our work. Together, we create opportunities.
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Did you find this newsletter interesting? Then please pass it on to friends and acquaintances who really should get to know steps.
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The steps for children foundation was established in Hamburg in 2005 by Dr Michael Hoppe. It is now active in eight locations in Namibia and Zimbabwe, where it is committed to improving educational opportunities for girls and boys from poor neighbourhoods. Over 2,000 children can take part in education and have a warm meal every day at steps and its partner projects.
We would also like to point out that in order to save personnel and resources, which we would like to use in Namibia, we will issue and send you the donation receipts in the first quarter of the following year. For donations of up to EUR 300.00, the corresponding bank statement can also be submitted to the tax office as simplified proof of donation. If a donation receipt is required earlier, please send an enquiry to info@stepsforchildren.de send.
With best regards
Michael Hoppe
(Chairman of the Management Board)
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Donation account:
Hamburg Savings Bank
IBAN: DE44 2005 0550 1238 1497 26 BIC: HASPDEHHXXX
PayPal: paypal@stepsforchildren.de or at www.stepsforchildren.de
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steps for children foundation
Bramfelder Str. 77 in 22305 Hamburg
T +49 (0) 40 389 027 - 88
info@stepsforchildren.de
www.stepsforchildren.de
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Editor: Marie Schnaidt
Responsible for the content: Dr Michael Hoppe
Photos: © steps for children, unless otherwise noted
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