Maternity shelter stalled
The Okahao town council is hoping to raise close to N$450 000 to complete the much-awaited project.
A lack of funds has stalled the construction of a maternity shelter in Okahao in the Omusati Region, which has left expectant mothers out in the cold.
Last year, the town council commenced with the construction of the maternity shelter for expectant mothers, however, all these activities have been placed on hold until council secures funds to complete the project.
This is according to the council's local economic development officer, Victoria Haihambo, who added that council needs about N$437 000 to complete the project.
Haihambo said thus far, council had spent N$230 000 on the project.
The shelter, once completed, will consist of five bedrooms, a kitchen, and an office for the caretaker, and ablution facilities.
“Council is still in the process of sourcing funds to complete the project,” Haihambo said upon enquiry by Namibian Sun.
Thus far, the earthworks, concrete formwork and reinforcement, masonry, as well as the installation of the metalwork such as windows and door frames have been completed.
The plastering of the walls, steel works and roofing, plumbing and drainage, painting, electrical wiring, tiling, ceiling, glazing woodwork finishes such as built-in cupboards, and the fencing off of the premises still need to be done.
As part of sourcing funds for the project, Haihambo said that on 31 March, council had a mayoral dinner which was attended by the founding president, Sam Nujoma, where N$96 000 in donations was raised.
Currently expectant mothers are accommodated in a corrugated iron shelters, a few metres away from the incomplete building.
One of the expectant mothers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, shared the difficult circumstances they have to live in, saying that one shack accommodates up to 16 women.
Apart from the lack of space, there is not enough mattresses in the three shacks, forcing some to sleep on cardboard boxes.
When asked about the halted construction, the woman said she wished it was completed already.
“Even though we, who are currently here, are not going to be the first to sleep in that building, I would not want those expectant mothers coming after us to experience what we are going through. Those responsible for the new building must please get it done,” she said.
At the current ad hoc shelter, the women pay a N$20 fee for a stay of three weeks and are provided with a water tap and pit latrine.
When contacted for comment, caretaker of the shelter, Hendrina Iileka said she desperately wants the new building to be completed.
Iileka said the current shelter was established in 2007.
She indicated that the safety of the expectant mothers is a challenge at the moment because the shelter is not fenced off and the police do react on time if their services are needed.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Last year, the town council commenced with the construction of the maternity shelter for expectant mothers, however, all these activities have been placed on hold until council secures funds to complete the project.
This is according to the council's local economic development officer, Victoria Haihambo, who added that council needs about N$437 000 to complete the project.
Haihambo said thus far, council had spent N$230 000 on the project.
The shelter, once completed, will consist of five bedrooms, a kitchen, and an office for the caretaker, and ablution facilities.
“Council is still in the process of sourcing funds to complete the project,” Haihambo said upon enquiry by Namibian Sun.
Thus far, the earthworks, concrete formwork and reinforcement, masonry, as well as the installation of the metalwork such as windows and door frames have been completed.
The plastering of the walls, steel works and roofing, plumbing and drainage, painting, electrical wiring, tiling, ceiling, glazing woodwork finishes such as built-in cupboards, and the fencing off of the premises still need to be done.
As part of sourcing funds for the project, Haihambo said that on 31 March, council had a mayoral dinner which was attended by the founding president, Sam Nujoma, where N$96 000 in donations was raised.
Currently expectant mothers are accommodated in a corrugated iron shelters, a few metres away from the incomplete building.
One of the expectant mothers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, shared the difficult circumstances they have to live in, saying that one shack accommodates up to 16 women.
Apart from the lack of space, there is not enough mattresses in the three shacks, forcing some to sleep on cardboard boxes.
When asked about the halted construction, the woman said she wished it was completed already.
“Even though we, who are currently here, are not going to be the first to sleep in that building, I would not want those expectant mothers coming after us to experience what we are going through. Those responsible for the new building must please get it done,” she said.
At the current ad hoc shelter, the women pay a N$20 fee for a stay of three weeks and are provided with a water tap and pit latrine.
When contacted for comment, caretaker of the shelter, Hendrina Iileka said she desperately wants the new building to be completed.
Iileka said the current shelter was established in 2007.
She indicated that the safety of the expectant mothers is a challenge at the moment because the shelter is not fenced off and the police do react on time if their services are needed.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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