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Living with brain damage for 33 years

Diagnosed at age 25
Kambiru, who has been struggling to make ends meet, said his condition deteriorates when he doesn't have medication, causing headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Kenya Kambowe,Nikanor Nangolo
After being diagnosed with brain damage at the age of 25, Paulus Kambiru (now 58) has gone on to live a full life, which saw him getting married and fathering eight children.

Based at Ncamagoro village in the Kavango West Region, Kambiru spoke frankly about his diagnosis.

“I am mad. I mean, I am mentally challenged,” he said confidently.

In the company of his wife, Clementine, and his children, Kambiru told Namibian Sun he was diagnosed in grade nine in 1990 when doctors observed bleeding on his brain.

Despite the odds, he went on to complete grade 12.

He said when he wrote his matric exams in 1994 at the age of 29, he already had four children.

His family members neglected him, which forced him to survive on odd jobs to provide for his family, he narrated.

According to him, his condition deteriorates when he doesn’t have medication, causing headaches, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Making ends meet

Kambiru is currently unemployed, and has been selling thatch grass to feed his family.

He said he has been struggling to make ends meet because business is slow this time of year.

He also owns a cuca shop near his homestead where he sells kamundevere, a traditional brew that is made from pearl millet.

At the time of the interview, there was no kamundevere as he ran out of sugar.

According to Kambiru, he’s able to earn an income of N$200 a month from selling kamundevere, while his thatch business can rake in about N$8 000 a month.

He dreamt of becoming a nurse when he was younger, but said his financial situation hindered him from enrolling in university.

“I’ve had a few seasonal jobs such as digging holes for NamPower and road construction work, which has helped me to take care of my family,” he said.

Pension

With only two years left before he turns 60, Kambiru said he is looking forward to receiving his monthly pension grant, a benefit enjoyed by thousands of pensioners.

“Hopefully with the pension benefit from the government, I will be able to improve my living standards and take care of my children.”

He further appealed for assistance to help keep his business afloat.

“Currently, I am struggling to buy stock for my business. I am in need of money or a job so that I can expand my house, which only accommodates my wife and I.”

Lack of jobs

The 58-year-old said he is concerned about the lack of job opportunities in the community, which has led to young people turning to drugs and prostitution.

“The youth from this community have no jobs, hence you will find the young boys smoking weed and the young girl engaging in sexual activities.”

Kambiru called upon government to take the plight of unemployed youths seriously.

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Namibian Sun 2024-05-14

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Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 356.43/OZ UP +0.77% | Copper US$ 4.85/lb UP +2.21% | Zinc US$ 3 006.00/T UP 0.27% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 82.81/BBP DOWN -0.0124 | Platinum US$ 1 036.82/OZ UP +3.54%