All income-generating steps are closed

Since March 27, a travel ban within the country has also been in effect in Namibia; gatherings and street markets are prohibited, and informal places such as pubs or tobacco shops are also closed. People are being asked to stay at home and, as in Germany, may only leave their place of residence to go shopping or see a doctor. 

A friend from Namibia is observing the current situation with great concern:“I bought a lion, a hippo and a few ostriches as egg cups from some street vendors, because starting tomorrow they will no longer be allowed to set up their stalls and will have no income. This is happening to many people here now. My children will also no longer have any income for the time being. But we do have better reserves than the poorest of the poor. I feel very sorry for them, because they have always tried to keep themselves and their families afloat. Now they cannot do that anymore either.”

The steps for children foundation has decided that all steps for children employees, whether they are able to work or not, will continue to receive their salaries. They are often the only ones in their families who have an income and thereby support up to ten additional people. We will continue these full wage payments even if there should be fewer donations for our projects in Germany.