Girl Up supports Frans Indongo orphanage

JEMIMA BEUKESWINDHOEKA group of Girl Up volunteers this weekend donated much-needed clothing to the Frans Indongo orphanage and to homeless people at the Rundu dumpsite.Girl Up Namibia president Joy Kapepo, who formed part of the delegation at Frans Indongo orphanage, told Namibian Sun that they have gained insight into the plight of vulnerable children and believe that Namibia’s inequality status is keeping far too many children trapped in poverty.“Most of the children I've seen have Down syndrome and some don't even have legs but what left me surprised was how there were not enough resources available to them to help the handicapped just to be able to exist.“These are Namibian children filled with big smiles. Big enough to light up the world. Mee Aili, the caretaker, who is clearly grasping at straws raising these children, shows so much compassion, which is what we must emulate in Namibia.“Mee Aili is in desperate need of assistance. She told me that there are many abandoned children in Namibia experiencing deep poverty but the councillors and mayors turn a blind eye,” she said.The Girl Up delegation handed over a collection of clothing and hopes to help renovate the orphanage so that can accommodate more vulnerable children.“I loved the experience because it showed me a part of the disabled community left to scramble on their own. I noticed how even I as a citizen turned a blind eye to doing my part in society to make it better.“I saw a mother who believed in the power of children. One that cares enough to sacrifice herself to do God's will and help those who cannot help themselves.“I also saw the future generation. I saw children that could sing, laugh, cry and smile. I saw love in so many different ways in one day.“I saw what I want to see for the future of Namibia for years to come. One that can only be achieved through humanity’s contributions and intervention by the government,” said Kapepo.Dumpsite peopleThe Rundu group of Girl Up girls said they were sad to find people scavenging through large heaps of garbage as a means of staying alive, and hoped that their little contribution would go a long way.Another group in Kavango East led by Aily Ngalangi also handed out some clothing, shoes, bedsheets and sweets with the assistance of Bank of BIC and other Samaritans at the Rundu dumping site.“During the donation we had a chance to speak to a few of the people, many of whom were school-going children. They said they go to the site every day, looking for food, clothing, old building materials they can use for makeshift shelters as well as items that they can sell at the market.“Many of the children often skip school, especially during the winter season, for they have no proper means to shield themselves from the cold. Having emptied two big boxes and a bag of clothing, they left the site just a little bit lighter,” said Ngalangi.Girl Up, with over 2 500 clubs across 100 countries, is a non-profit under the United Nations Foundation that supports UN programmes targeting adolescent girls in developing countries (primarily Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, India, and Guatemala) in the areas of education, safety, health, and leadership.jemima@namibiansun.com

Girl Up supports Frans Indongo orphanage

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-23

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Girl Up supports Frans Indongo orphanage

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-23

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