Shining Hope in Gobabis
Building skills and hope for future generations
In the heart of Gobabis, a beacon of hope continues to shine brightly for the town’s most vulnerable residents.
Light for the Children, founded in 1999, has grown from humble beginnings into a life-changing organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of orphans and vulnerable children through education, nutrition and holistic care.
Today, the centre serves more than 500 children every day, providing not only nutritious meals but also the foundation for a brighter future through quality education. The organisation runs two Grade 1 classes, two pre-primary classes, and two early childhood development (ECD) classes, nurturing young minds from their first steps into learning.
But the impact doesn’t stop there. In the afternoons, Light for the Children opens its doors again, this time to high school students who come to study in a safe, supportive environment. “We want to make sure that every child, no matter their age or background, has a chance to succeed,” says Angela Brand, one of the dedicated team members behind the initiative.
In partnership with Steps for Children, the organisation also provides meals to between 500 and 600 children every day. The partnership ensures that no child leaves hungry, but as Brand points out, weekends remain a challenge. “During the week, the children receive balanced meals and we see them gaining weight and growing strong. But when the weekend comes, many of them have nothing to eat. It breaks our hearts.”
Expanding reach
Beyond education and nutrition, the organisation is expanding its reach to include children with disabilities. A new project, aptly called Side by Side, currently supports eight children and is constructing a dedicated facility to better meet their unique needs. “Every child deserves to be seen, loved and supported, regardless of ability,” Brand emphasises.
The centre’s compassion extends further through home visits and a special nutrition recovery programme for children discharged from hospitals with severe malnutrition. Mothers and caregivers are taught to prepare healthy meals while the children are regularly weighed to monitor progress. The results have been encouraging: most children are gaining weight and recovering steadily.
In addition to its educational and nutritional work, Light for the Children empowers the local community through self-sustainability initiatives, such as vegetable gardening to supply their soup kitchen.
“We believe in giving not just handouts, but a hand up,” Brand explains. “We’re building skills and hope not just for today, but for generations to come.”
Rooted in the Gobabis community, Light for the Children is more than an organisation; it is a family, a safe haven and a symbol of resilience.
Light for the Children, founded in 1999, has grown from humble beginnings into a life-changing organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of orphans and vulnerable children through education, nutrition and holistic care.
Today, the centre serves more than 500 children every day, providing not only nutritious meals but also the foundation for a brighter future through quality education. The organisation runs two Grade 1 classes, two pre-primary classes, and two early childhood development (ECD) classes, nurturing young minds from their first steps into learning.
But the impact doesn’t stop there. In the afternoons, Light for the Children opens its doors again, this time to high school students who come to study in a safe, supportive environment. “We want to make sure that every child, no matter their age or background, has a chance to succeed,” says Angela Brand, one of the dedicated team members behind the initiative.
In partnership with Steps for Children, the organisation also provides meals to between 500 and 600 children every day. The partnership ensures that no child leaves hungry, but as Brand points out, weekends remain a challenge. “During the week, the children receive balanced meals and we see them gaining weight and growing strong. But when the weekend comes, many of them have nothing to eat. It breaks our hearts.”
Expanding reach
Beyond education and nutrition, the organisation is expanding its reach to include children with disabilities. A new project, aptly called Side by Side, currently supports eight children and is constructing a dedicated facility to better meet their unique needs. “Every child deserves to be seen, loved and supported, regardless of ability,” Brand emphasises.
The centre’s compassion extends further through home visits and a special nutrition recovery programme for children discharged from hospitals with severe malnutrition. Mothers and caregivers are taught to prepare healthy meals while the children are regularly weighed to monitor progress. The results have been encouraging: most children are gaining weight and recovering steadily.
In addition to its educational and nutritional work, Light for the Children empowers the local community through self-sustainability initiatives, such as vegetable gardening to supply their soup kitchen.
“We believe in giving not just handouts, but a hand up,” Brand explains. “We’re building skills and hope not just for today, but for generations to come.”
Rooted in the Gobabis community, Light for the Children is more than an organisation; it is a family, a safe haven and a symbol of resilience.
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