Maria David
THE Ovinjange Community Project recently received financial support of N$88,713 from August 26 Logistics.
The donation aims to address issues such as water scarcity while promoting food security in the local community. It was given through the August 26 Logistics “Chains of Kindness” Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which selected the Ovinjange Community Project to positively impact the community in the Kunene Region.
The Kunene region is one of the most drought-affected areas and is in urgent need of assistance.
The Ovinjange Community Project was established to tackle water scarcity and food insecurity, long-standing challenges in Ovinjange village, approximately 11 km from Opuwo.
The project was founded by Rui Tyitende and Dr. Ellison Tjirera from the University of Namibia (UNAM) to bring positive change and alleviate suffering in their community. It is part of Omiti Planting CC, a non-profit organization.
With the assistance of August 26 Logistics, the Ovinjange Community Project can now carry out vital water surveying and drill a borehole with necessary accessories.
According to Tyitende, instead of criticizing the government for not doing enough, individuals should find ways to use their skills to contribute.
The direct beneficiaries of this project are the people of Ovinjange village, whose livelihoods have been severely impacted by the lack of water. The first phase of the project will provide access to a reliable water source, giving residents clean water for personal and livestock consumption.
The second phase will establish a community garden, enabling the community to grow crops, ensure food security, and generate income by cultivating cash crops.
During the handover of the donation, Alpha Nekomba, Acting Managing Director of August 26 Logistics (Pty) Ltd, highlighted the importance of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, “Chains of Kindness.”
She said that their CSR initiative, recently launched, aims to reach out to communities and make a meaningful difference, especially in food production.
“Supporting the Ovinjange project is a natural fit for our goals: promoting sustainable development and improving the livelihood of locals,” she said.
The “Chains of Kindness” program calls on corporate and institutional assistance to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
“We can only achieve this with the assistance of corporate entities or institutions interested in the socio-economic well-being of the most vulnerable societies. We thank August 26 Logistics for supporting us in such an impactful manner,” said Tjirera, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Management at Omiti Planting CC.
The plan is to replicate the success of this project in other areas of the country facing similar challenges.
