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Many eventful weeks lie behind us, showing what is possible with courage, commitment and mutual support. We are able to celebrate successes, follow new developments and experience how future opportunities for children and young people in Namibia are being realised step by step.
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In this newsletter, we celebrate the completion of her studies by steps student Regina, look at our children's sporting achievements and
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young people's achievements and provide insights into the progress of our nutrition initiative. We also show how your support has a very concrete impact: the warm winter blankets for our Schutzengel children have been distributed, the new sewing machines for the sewing workshop are in use and the balance bikes are on their way to Okakarara.
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Each of these stories is about people who seize opportunities, surpass themselves and actively shape their future. At the same time, they are a sign of what we can achieve together.
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We would like to sincerely thank you for walking this path with us. We hope you enjoy reading.
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steps in Namibia
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Success story from Namibia
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Education has the power to change lives – and the story of Regina Ruduvini is an impressive example of what becomes possible, when talent, determination and support come together. As an orphan, her educational journey was shaped by many challenges. Thanks to the support of steps for children, as well as dedicated donors and supporters, she never lost sight of her dream.
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Today, we are able to celebrate a special milestone: Regina has successfully completed her studies at Welwitchia University and received her certificate as an Enrolled Nurse-Midwife (nurse and midwife) received.
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This achievement is not only a personal accomplishment, but also an inspiring example of how education opens up opportunities, changes lives and enables young people to sustainably strengthen their communities.
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In a letter, Regina describes her journey, her gratitude and her plans for the future in her own words.
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Support our steps students now with a donation
and give young people like Regina the chance,
to successfully complete their training
and shape their own path into the future.
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Sports Days in Namibia
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Sack races, egg-and-spoon races with cups of water, races and lots of enthusiastic children: fun, exercise and community were at the heart of the Sports Days for our learners. The children cheered each other on, celebrated together and received enthusiastic support from their teachers. A particular highlight: every child received a medal – because at Sports Day, team spirit, fairness and enjoyment matter more than placings.
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From barefoot runner to national success
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When Virinao began athletics training in 2023, his coach immediately recognised his exceptional talent.
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Today, just a few years later, the 16-year-old is one of Namibia's most successful young sprinters. His journey impressively demonstrates what is possible, when talent meets hard work and the right support.
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Find out more about, how the Guardian Angel programme run by steps for children and the support of our community have helped, turn a boy with a big dream into a nationally successful athlete.
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Strengthening food security in Namibia
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In construction of our new soup kitchen has begun in Okakarara and the first walls are already standing! Soon, a place will be created here where children from the surrounding informal settlements can regularly receive healthy meals. At the same time, in our new soup kitchen in Otto Xamseb cooking is already taking place every day and children are being provided with nutritious meals.
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With its soup kitchens in Namibia, steps for children ensures that children from the poorest backgrounds regularly receive a balanced meal – an important foundation for health, learning and a self-determined future.
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Help strengthen healthy nutrition in Namibia.
Together, we can give children the support they need for a successful start in life.
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Warm blankets for the Namibian winter
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While we were sweating here in Germany, Namibia was experiencing a cold winter, with temperatures dropping to 0°C at night. Thanks to your wonderful support, warm blankets have already been distributed to the children and young people in our Guardian Angel programme. The blankets provide not only warmth, but also comfort, protection and a sense of security during the cold winter nights. For many children, they are a valuable help during the cold season.
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We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the donations that made this support possible. Together with you, we were able to ensure that our Guardian Angel children came through the winter warm and well cared for via
through the Namibian winter.
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Successful fundraising campaign: New sewing machines in Okakarara
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Thanks to the tremendous support, our fundraising campaign for new sewing machines was successfully completed: Our sewing workshop, which has been an important part of steps for children’s income-generating initiatives since 2006, recently faced the challenge that two of the old domestic sewing machines, which had been in daily use for over a decade, had reached the end of their service life. Repair was no longer possible.
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Thanks to the donations, two robust, industrial-grade sewing machines were purchased that can withstand the intensive demands of the workshop. The new machines are already in use – enabling more precise work and greater reliability.
The fundraising campaign has not only financed machines – it has secured prospects. It ensures that women and families can continue to earn their own income and that the workshop remains stable in the long term.
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A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this important purchase possible. Every single donation helped our sewing workshop continue to develop and create hope, stability and opportunities for the future.
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steps in Germany
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More sporting news: balance bike update
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There is great news: The two balance bikes from Ronny and Markus’s successful fundraising campaign are now on their way to Okakarara! There is great excitement here, and the children are already being playfully prepared for their first attempts at riding and learning important traffic rules such as „Stop“, „Wait“ and „Go“ – also in their mother tongue, Otjiherero.
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Mit den neuen Laufrädern erhalten die Kinder nicht nur ein spannendes Spielgerät. Sie fördern Gleichgewicht, Koordination und Selbstvertrauen und schaffen wichtige Grundlagen für ihre weitere Entwicklung. Und wer weiß, vielleicht können die Laufräder bald in das ein oder andere Sportfest miteinbezogen werden?
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Ein herzliches Dankeschön an Ronny und Markus sowie an alle, die diese Aktion unterstützt haben. Gemeinsam bringen wir die steps-Kinder in Namibia ins Rollen. Wir freuen uns darauf, bald die ersten Fahrversuche
aus Okakarara mit euch zu teilen!
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Kunst zum Tragen - und Helfen
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Foto: v. l. Manuela Kase, Marcel Heller, Dr. Michael Hoppe, Tatjana Nolze, Heimo Nolze (Stiftung Nolze).
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Manchmal entsteht aus Kreativität etwas, das weit über ein Kunstwerk hinausgeht. So auch bei diesen vier einzigartigen Unikattaschen, die Künstlerin Tatjana Nolze zugunsten von steps for children gestaltet und gespendet hat. Inspiriert von nordischer Küstenwelt, leuchtenden Fischmotiven und echtem Hamburger Flair sind besondere Einzelstücke entstanden, die Kunst und soziales Engagement auf wunderbare Weise verbinden. Für die Gestaltung wurden ausschließlich hochwertige Stoffmalfarben verwendet. Alle Motive wurden anschließend versiegelt und sind dadurch dauerhaft wetterbeständig sowie gegen Regen geschützt.
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Übergeben wurden die Taschen beim diesjährigen Stiftungstreffen der Haspa in der Hamburger Kunsthalle.
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Unser besonderer Dank gilt Tatjana Nolze für diese großzügige Unterstützung. Mit ihrer kreativen Initiative setzt sie ein Zeichen für gesellschaftliches Engagement und hilft dabei, Kindern und Jugendlichen in Namibia
neue Zukunftsperspektiven zu eröffnen.
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Jede der vier Taschen hat einen Wert von 250 Euro. Der gesamte Erlös kommt direkt der Arbeit von steps for children zugute und unterstützt unsere Bildungszentren in Namibia.
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Tatjana Nolze ist eine vielseitige Ölmalerin, deren Werke zwischen Abstraktion, Symbolik und farbstarker Ausdruckskraft wechseln. Geprägt von internationalen Lebensstationen und frühen Inspirationen durch César Manrique erschafft sie in ihrem Atelier kraftvolle Bildwelten voller Leuchtkraft und Emotion.
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Ihr seid an einer der Unikattaschen interessiert?
Dann freuen wir uns über eine Nachricht an das steps-Team unter info@stepsforchildren.de
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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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Die Stiftung steps for children wurde 2005 in Hamburg von Dr. Michael Hoppe gegründet. Sie ist mittlerweile an acht Standorten in Namibia tätig, wo sie sich nachhaltig für bessere Bildungschancen von Mädchen und Jungen aus den Armenvierteln einsetzt. Über 2.000 Kinder können bei steps und den Partnerprojekten täglich an Bildung teilhaben und eine warme Mahlzeit einnehmen.
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
Verantwortlich für den Inhalt: Dr. Michael Hoppe, Manuela Kase
Photos: © steps for children, unless otherwise noted
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