Homeless girl, 10, writes to Geingob

Mercelyn Tsibes, now 12, penned a letter to President Hage Geingob two years ago asking him to help her and her mother, Merlien, 34, secure a home.

Their most recent attempt, through an application to the town council of Swakopmund, also failed.

“For days, I slept over with friends, visiting them and always felt very bad about it because they always asked me when I was going home,” Mercelyn said.

Her dream, she says, is to, like her friends, live in peace and without fear in her own home and that is why she approached the president directly.

Two years ago on 1 June, she wrote her letter to Geingob, asking him to donate a home to her and her mother.

“Dear President, Honourable Dr Hage Geingob, I greet you in the name of our God, my name is Mercelyn Tsibes.

“I live in Swakopmund. I am 10 years old and in Grade 4B at Hangeni Primary School. My father died when I was a baby and my mom is a single mother. She is unemployed and we are suffering. Please help us, we have nowhere to stay. Please buy us a home. God will bless you. I am currently living at my friend's house but that was my own idea. I trust in our president. Thank you and may God bless you.”

Merlien said Mercelyn's father died when she was four years old.

“We were already separated at the time and he lived in the Kunene Region. He hanged himself, I think because his girlfriend cheated on him. He was a good father and cared a lot for his daughter.”

Merlien's boyfriend is caring for her and Mercelyn at the moment and they live in his small shack in Mondesa. Four years ago, after Merlien lost her job at a clothing factory, they moved to Swakopmund. The shack they originally lived in burned down last year on 13 July and they lost everything.





“We lost everything but the worst of it was Mercelyn's school books. She did very badly at school last year. But possessions are not everything and I tell her every day how special and strong she is and how much I love her.”

Shortly after the letter was received by State House, Geingob instructed his executive director, Etienne Maritz, to respond to Mercelyn's letter. Maritz wrote that government was committed to the eradication of poverty and to provide shelter to every Namibian.

“I have been instructed to direct your request to the governor of the Erongo Region. Your mother is urged to approach the governor's office to request help there. I urge you to study hard at school to achieve success in your future endeavours.”

Mercelyn said she was elated that the president responded to her.

“I appreciate it. He is a good person. If he had given us a home I would have been very happy and I would have hugged him,” she said.

Mercelyn and her mother are still waiting for a home. The governor's office directed their request to the Swakopmund Town Council but, at a council meeting on 31 May, it was decided not to donate a home to Tsibes and her daughter.

According to council policy, Swakopmund residents must either bid on a home or register through the Mass Housing Scheme to get an erf or a house.

“To donate a house would not be in line with policy. There are many other residents who suffer the same fate and thus, a donation to the Tsibes family would complicate council's housing procedures,” the town council said.



Merlien was urged to register during the coming housing registration period to be assisted, along with other homeless people, in this regard.



Merlien says she has struggled to complete this registration.



“We will wait and pray. There is a time for everything.”

JESSICA BOTES