Staff Reporter
THE Empowerment Centre for Vulnerable Children in Lüderitz has called for increased support for food, educational materials and other resources to strengthen services provided to vulnerable children.
The call was made during an oversight visit by the National Assembly Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Health and Social Welfare, which is visiting residential child-care facilities, welfare organisations and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) centres in the //Kharas and Hardap regions.
The centre provides children with breakfast and lunch while engaging them in educational activities aimed at supporting their learning and development.
Photos: Parliament of the Republic of Namibia
The committee was informed that, despite limited resources, the centre produces many of its learning materials using recycled items. However, the monthly food assistance it receives remains insufficient to meet the needs of all the children.
The centre also highlighted the need for quality educational materials, learning resources and additional food support to improve the learning environment and strengthen its programmes.
The committee called for stronger partnerships between government, development partners, businesses and other stakeholders to provide essential support to the centre.
Committee chairperson Ephraim Tuhadeleni Nekongo said the centre was laying an important foundation for the children’s future and urged local businesses and other stakeholders in Lüderitz to assist.
“The importance of this centre is the foundation that you are laying here. These children here, they are the ministers tomorrow. The children are the doctors and nurses tomorrow,” Nekongo said.
He said the committee had taken note of the limited government assistance currently provided to the centre and would advocate for stronger support.
Nekongo also encouraged the centre to approach businesses and other organisations in Lüderitz for assistance, adding that partnerships could help address some of its resource challenges.
He shared examples of partnerships between similar centres and local businesses, including hotels that provided leftover food and soup kitchens that assisted with meals.
“We call upon especially people here in Lüderitz to assist the centre,” Nekongo said.
He commended the centre’s staff and volunteers for their work despite limited resources, saying their contribution to the community had not gone unnoticed.
The committee, comprising Nekongo, Veturuhe Kandorozu, Lilani Brinkman and Longinus Iipumbu, is conducting the oversight visits to assess services, identify challenges and engage stakeholders on ways to strengthen support for vulnerable communities.
