Juni 2023

Recently we were told that no less than 900 children use the Soup Kitchen every day, which unfortunately is due to the deterioration of living conditions in the Goreangab slum. The pressure on the soup kitchen is enormous. But refusing children for a nutritious meal a day is not an option. 

The homework classes with Miss Elisia and Miss Elisabeth, both professional teachers, are also a gem. Here the children receive support with their homework and they are brushed up on their language and maths skills. This gives the children more opportunities for the future. The cheerful faces in the photo show that they love going there. That makes us happy!

But the best news is that this year the long-dreamed wish for a permanent building is coming true.  This new building for Home of Good Hope is needed because in addition to the 'Soup Kitchen', it can also accommodate opportunities for activities that are aimed at self-reliance. We have been saving money for several years to design the new building. The money was donated by many charitable organizations for this purpose. 
Hopefully, the formal cooperation and permits of the municipality of Windhoek will soon be completed and they can actually start building. After many years, this is the crowning glory of Monica Imanga and her team. 

February 2023

When we arrived in the Klömpchensklub Monica was already waiting for us (because Maria is always very punctual, haha). It was a warm reunion after a long time. And there was a lot to talk about..... Monica said that she had met the director of Eurowings (low cost airline in Germany) at a meeting in Windhoek and that he promised her to help (financially) with the realization of the new building. He even visited the soup kitchen and was very impressed. Peacemaker had then shown him the 'plot'. Monica expects that construction can start at the end of 2023 and that a new building will be erected at the end of 2024. We'll have to wait and see how it all goes......

When the soup kitchen is in full swing (600 children), four large pans of food are brought to it and that is usually not enough. After that, sandwiches are handed out. Monica does not work with a list of children or with a waiting list. All children are welcome, although the mothers know the children and the families and feed the children who really need it. Children who get enough to eat at home are sent away. 

Of course, we also talked about the homework classes, especially about the Oshivamba children who come from the North of Namibia. I understand these are children of Angolan refugees who returned to Angola after the war to look for work. The children were often left behind, they are not registered anywhere and do not have a birth certificate. Those who still take care of them try to find work in Windhoek. Unemployment is high in the north of Namibia and there is no safety net. The living conditions in the township of Windhoek are terrible for these children. Often up to ten of them sleep on thin mattresses in a corrugated iron hut without water and electricity. The soup kitchen is very important to them.

And when I asked if she will stop working in the soup kitchen when she retires, she said that that is definitely not going to happen. Taking care of all these children, that is the life she chooses, it brings her a lot of happiness and she gets energy and life force from it. She wants to continue doing this for years to come....

December 2022

In addition to distributing the food, there is also care for the personal hygiene of the children. For example, teeth are always brushed with the little ones and once in a while the ears are checked, nails are cut and hair is washed and inspected for head lice. Sometimes the children also need to be treated against skin fungi.

September 2022

A new HoGH football team

Due to corona, there was no possibility to play in competition and they have only been able to train to a very limited extent. There are also too few suitable football fields and due to the recent winter break (it is winter there when it is summer in Europe) football got off to a slow start. And like all children in the world, they love to play and run around with a ball. But now there is an enthusiastic HoGH football team again and they are also working on a netball team for girls.

It's not just about winning. With Peacemaker Imanga (Monica’s son) and coach Morres, serious work is being done to offer sports opportunities for the children of HoGH. The coach said: "We have a very young team and are now 13th in the league in which 16 teams participate. But it's not just about winning. Personal development, having fun with each other and making new friends is also of great importance. We also occasionally let some older children from the neighborhood participate in the training and hope to motivate the younger children."

The HoGH Nederland’s sponsorship makes it possible that they can register for the competition, have a drink and get an extra snack, get football equipment and transport can be used. Although... they walk 6 km to the competition field (a kind of warm-up ...) and afterwards a van takes them back. They change clothes at the edge of the field, the football clothes are in 1 size and therefore too big for the smaller children. There aren’t any showers but that doesn’t spoil the fun.

You can tell the Youth Football Team Home of Good Hope are having lots of fun, They are super enthusiastic and very proud of their outfit. And the goalkeeper is happy to show off his new gloves. 

In this movie a small preview >>>

July 2022

The new teacher's name is Elizabeth Kudumo. She is 45 years old, married and has four children. She has a Grade 12 certificate.

Elizabeth worked in various places until her husband became very ill at work. She was asked to choose between her job and taking care of her sick husband. It is clear that she chose to take care of her husband.

She has been doing volunteer work at HoGH for a number of years now. She felt like doing something extra for the children of the soup kitchen and can also use her didactic skills for that. In collaboration and with the help of Monica and Elisia, the other teacher, this is becoming increasingly successful. Helping the children gives her great satisfaction.

July 2022

Dear Maria,

Thank you very much for your words of encouragement and that of the board members of HOGH Netherlands. I just want to give you a short story of how it started. 

I always had a dream of me sitting on a desk in a classroom and I use to tell my late husband and family about it,  over the years it was the same dream and I said to myself one day I will go back to school, and I will ask myself will it be possible at my age?  I said to myself yes everything is possible if I can put effort in it.

January 2018 Rebekka came to me at the soupkitchen and said the registration is open for children that want to enroll for tertiary education why can't we try, I didn't hesitate because I felt that my dream had come true. One thing that I like about the two of us is before we make any decisions we pray about what we want to do ,  I told my children about my decision of going back to school, for them it was like a joke they couldn't believe but I had to prove to them that I was serious. 

Time flies and here am I by the Grace of God my dream came true, I know sometimes it was not easy going to work and from work straight to the classes there was a time that I felt I was neglecting my children and grandchildren but I will always tell them that I was doing it for US. When I use the term US it's because I am not only a mother or grandmother to my children but to all the children of HOGH and I have to look into their needs and well being in a different way that is why I have chosen Psychology to know and understand this children better. Though it's something that I'm born with 

Therefore I would like to thank the people that played a big role towards my journey through education. First I would like to thank God the almighty for giving me the strength to go through. Maria van der Wal as my mentor,  she was always always there for me at times I felt like giving up but with you sweet voice you will tell me to hold on, even financially you contributed towards my education. My children for being there for me and understanding what I went through 

Nguvi for helping out with assignments 

Last but not least ;
Francesca and Uwe, Andy, Barbara, Frieda, Hannah, Caroline, Karin and Dominik, Thomas, Maria and the entire board of HOGH Netherlands.

Thanks from the bottom of my Heart,  

Monica Imanga 

February 2022

In Namibia, the summer holidays are over and the schools recently started again. The children of Home of Good Hope (HoGH) are also happy to go back to school. And without a face mask, now that there are hardly any corona (omikron) infections. Every day 'our' about 600 children are back in line for their nutritious meal and Monica's soup kitchen is running at full speed. And that also applies to HoGH's homework classes.

When it is winter here, it is summer in Namibia. And that means that the schools start again at the end of January, after the summer holidays. And fortunately it seemed like old times: happy children who are on their way to and from school without a face mask. The Omikron variant also peaked in Namibia but is now on its way back. Protective and restrictive measures are no longer considered necessary and life more or less takes its course again 'as usual'. The homework classes for the HoGH children have also started under the guidance of teacher Elisia. An extra complication arrose by quite a few children (see photo) who do not have a birth certificate and therefore formally cannot go to school. 

Monica is busy trying to find out their date of birth through the church. Thanks to an admirable initiative by Monica, these children are taken care of and in the morning they are divided into 2 groups of lessons from Elisia and Monica herself. As a result, there are not enough tables and chairs. But of course we as HoGH will take care of that!

November 2021

After the Corona peak last summer (winter in Namibia), homework classes started smoothly again in September. Under the guidance of Miss Elisia, the children from the Katutura slum on the outskirts of Windhoek in Namibia receive tutoring in homework classes. This is made possible by Home of Good Hope.

The families with children live there in extremely poor conditions and live in endless rows of meagre shacks made of corrugated iron, often without facilities. In addition to providing a daily meal in the ' Monica’s Soup Kitchen' and assistance with education and sports, HoGH has realized a very successful project with homework classes. And with success!

Children from different schools, who could really use an extra helping hand, are given extra lessons and are ‘brushed up' in various subjects.

Miss Elisia about this: “This month we will mainly help with English and maths, because the final exams are coming up. As a result, the children are extra motivated and do their utmost”. These children are highly motivated because good grades and a certificate offer the prospect of a better life.

They also try to make the homework classes fun by adding games such as "Chess" and "Ludo".

And Miss Elisia makes no secret of the fact that things are going well: “We are now almost at the end of the school year and things are going so well that we need 10 extra chairs and 5 tables for next year. Parents are very happy with their children's results and look forward to seeing them move on to the next classes.”

We will of course not ignore such a heartfelt cry and as HoGH we will ensure that this expansion and the meals for these school children are taken care of.

At Home of Good Hope they deliver a great performance. 

October 2021

Because there are simply far too few vaccines against corona available in poor countries such as Namibia, resulting in a very low vaccination rate and many infections, our people from Home of Good Hope (HoGH) deliver a top performance on site. The care for the children of Monica’s Soup Kitchen continues unabated.  

Despite the infections, now mainly due to the Delta variant, the daily nutritious meal, homework guidance and sports for 'our' children continue. With Monica, HoGH has had an inspiring, powerful personality at the helm for years. She herself has also been affected by the loss of several family members and has also been ill. Very sad, also because of the loss of a grandson. But right now Monica is an example of resilience and an example for the people in the township. After she felt better, she told us: "Now that I am back on my feet again, we're back to work". And that says it all.

The enormous resilience of people like Monica and all the people who help her has meant that more food can now be distributed to the poorest children of Goreangab. The little ones get to eat first and then the school children. The older children often still get healthy sandwiches but the little ones get pasta or rice with a nutritious sauce with fresh vegetables and meat.

So everything has started up again as good and as bad as it can be, but it is not nearly as good as before the pandemic. There is still a lot of unemployment and poverty among the people.

Despite this, our volunteers led by Monica are doing a great job making sure that hundreds of children are fed every day!

March 2021

During the summer holidays there is literally less pressure in Monica's soup kitchen. But after ‎the schools have started, it is very busy again. Of course, this applies to the distribution of the ‎food now that the school children are coming en masse again for their daily nutritious meal. ‎But the work "beforehand" also requires a lot of effort to ensure that the children can go to ‎school in the first place!‎

A "school uniform" is mandatory in Namibia. And that means that a lot of children have to ‎get new school uniforms. But not only that. Shoes, sweaters and other school supplies are also ‎provided. No school without a school uniform and for many children that literally means no ‎school without the help of HoGH. Fortunately, this time there were extra donations from, ‎among others, Sweden and Germany that made it possible to purchase clothing and school ‎supplies for the children.‎

The schools the children attend, including the Olaf Primary School, are extremely grateful for ‎the efforts of HoGH. This also gives underprivileged children the opportunity to receive ‎education. Because there are several schools where the children go and they all have different ‎uniforms, it is a multi-colored whole. A happy face. Now that the schools are open again, the ‎homework classes of "our" Sybil can also start again. And a great success has been made ‎possible with contributions from you to HoGH Nederland. And we are very happy with that!‎

December 2020

Monica and her volunteers bravely got through it this year. Partly with the help of our loyal donors and generous sponsors. Let's continue that in 2021!

Care for children remains intact

The loss of a major Canadian sponsor at the beginning of this year was a significant financial setback. On top of that came the outbreak of the corona pandemic, which hit the economy in Namibia to the heart and resulted in high unemployment. Thanks to generous contributions from donors and sponsors, HoGH Nederland has been able to provide extra support and hundreds of food packages could be distributed to suffering families.

Monica and her volunteers were enormously supported and motivated by this to continue to take the best possible care of the vulnerable children.

Lower number of children not an option

Due to the loss of the Canadian income, reducing the number of children using the soup kitchen was considered. But because of the corona crisis, literally more and more hungry children knocked on the soup kitchen’s door. Monica about this: “Covid-19 caused even greater pressure on the soup kitchen. And there is no way to chase away hungry children! ” They now have 612 children, 125 of which are aged 1 to 7 and 487 aged 8 and older. They receive a nutritious meal every day. A meal that fortunately can still be called nutritious but has been adapted because of the lower budget. For example, fruit can no longer be given every day and more sandwiches with peanut butter and jelly are used. But Monica remains positive: "Until now, the children still get the nutrients they really need".

They deserve all the support

We recently gave Monica and her team of volunteers an "envelope with contents" this Christmas month. They also live in extremely poor conditions and can barely make ends meet. Pleasantly surprised and heart-warming were their reactions with pictures on them. Under these difficult circumstances, they continue to engage in an admirable way. And that deserves all the support!

November, 2020

Namibia is located in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to ours. It is now almost summer and the school year is coming to an end. The summer holidays will soon start. Because of the 'corona closure' of the schools, many children could not take online lessons because they often do not have a laptop or tablet at home. But homework assistance could not be offered either. But our "strong women," Sybil, with Monica's help, didn't let that happen. 

As much corona proof as possible, the children first received "homework assistance" in the soup kitchen building. And fortunately, since a few months, in two rooms that have been made available for free by the friendly organization “Wadadee Cares”.

HoGH did not abandon the children and took care of them as well as possible. Primary schools reopened to a limited extent in September, but many children already had considerable backlogs in the teaching material. Homework assistance was now more needed than ever.
A delighted Sybil in her retrospect: “I am happy to report that during these difficult months as a result of this pandemic, the homework classes have always continued. With around 50 students divided over the 2 classrooms where we strictly adhere to the corona guidelines. It is also very nice that we could give the children sandwiches and orange drink every day! ”

The children are now more motivated because they were still upset by the corona virus. And they really like it. They indicate that they no longer want to miss a lesson! Sybil about this: “To be honest, I am very impressed with their participation and, of course, very important, their performance has improved”. And she does not hide that she is happy and grateful: “We are very grateful to you as our sponsor. Hopefully, with your support, we can continue to provide education to the Namibian child from the slum. ”

October, 2020

With the presentation of the Home of Good Hope (HoGH) policy plan for the period 2020-2025, an official touch could also be given to the appointment of our new mayor Derk Alssema as ambassador of HoGH as successor to former mayor Jan Boelhouwer. The policy plan shows that a lot of support is still needed in the coming years to establish a self-reliant center on site and to realize Monica's dream. Meanwhile, securing the daily nutritious meal from Monica's Soup Kitchen to more than 600 children from the Goreangab slum in Windhoek, Namibia remains of great importance.

New ambassador

The HoGH board is happy and honored with the mayor of Gilze en Rijen, Derk Alssema as ambassador. We know from the good experiences with his predecessor Jan Boelhouwer that this can open doors, both here and for "our" organization in Namibia. In a cordial and casual conversation with the mayor, he spontaneously agreed to cooperate, but not without also having a "good feeling" about it. The structure and working method of HoGH in Namibia, the role of Monica and the major problems of the children from the slums were explained in detail. From his experience of an earlier working visit to Africa, he recognized the poor conditions and what this means for children from a slum. He would also like to work as an ambassador during, for example, school visits to draw attention to the major differences between the children here and there, as well as the cultural differences.

In his preface to the policy plan, he therefore shows himself to be an enthusiastic ambassador, in which he wholeheartedly recommends the support of HoGH's plans.

Continuity

We are fortunate that the "soup kitchen" led by Monica and with the help of her sons Peacemaker and Gregory and volunteers has become a great success. With that so necessary nutritious meal, now good for more than 600 (!) children a day, a range of activities has arisen. Sports teams (football and netball), a sewing workshop and two homework classes are concrete examples of things that have been made possible by the sponsorship of HoGH. In the meantime, we are working hard to realize “Monica’s Dream”, an accommodation in which all wishes in the field of nutrition, health care, education and care come together and are realized under one roof. HoGH's new policy plan (see https://www.homeofgoodhope.nl/nl/stichting) clearly focuses on the continuity of the current set-up for a better health and future for the children. And… in the long term, as self-sufficient as possible from a professional multifunctional center!

Information

HoGH is indispensable in supporting the children in this slum in Windhoek. And certainly now, in addition to that super necessary meal for the children, help is also needed for the families. This is only possible thanks to your generous gifts. You can make a contribution to NL 93 RABO 0162 5623 30.

October, 2020

Although the lock down due to COVID-19 was further relaxed in September, tourists are still staying away. The whole of Namibia is an 'orange' area for us in the Netherlands. Fortunately, all schools reopened on September 14.

Many children have not received a good education since mid-March, also because online education is not an option for many children. But HoGH has also been able to respond alertly here. With the enthusiastic efforts of a few teachers of the homework classes sponsored by us, they have nevertheless succeeded in teaching as many children as possible in smaller groups. Sybil, one of the teachers, is now enthusiastically starting up the homework classes again, as is clear from an email from her to our chairman Maria Vernooij: “Nothing will stop me, Maria. Thanks for your support. Take care and stay safe! ”

A few weeks later, Sybil announced that despite all the setbacks during the lockdown, the students will make it this school year, although it is not easy because many lessons have been cancelled.

“Learners are coping though it’s not easy. Learners are very keen and strongly believe that education is the key to success.  Covid-19 has negatively affected the whole World,  but by the grace of God we are still going”

To be continued…..

September 2020

Worldwide, the corona ghost is still raging. Especially in poor countries, such as Namibia, the consequences are disastrous. No work means no income. Especially for the families from which the children come who visit the Soup Kitchen of Monica Imanga. And that quickly means that there is not enough money for food and drink. Thanks to generous contributions from individuals and organizations in the Netherlands, Home of Good Hope has been able to meet the worst need so far with extra food packages. Additional help remains necessary for the time being.

No income, no food

Also in Namibia, especially in the densely populated areas such as in and around the capital Windhoek, the number of infections is still increasing. However, the economic consequences of lockdowns are also very drastic. The loss of work and income from, among other things, tourism means that the basic necessities of life are at stake, especially for the people in the slums such as Goreangab. HoGH responded to this immediately in recent months by providing extra food packages for the families, in good coordination with Monica and her team, where the water will soon reach their lips.

Extra food packages

And with generous gifts from individual people, but also from organizations such as the Rotary Gilze and Rijen, we have again made a lot of food packages possible for many people in the past month of August. It is really nice to see through photos and videos that the food packages were prepared at Monica's home with the help of her sons Peacemaker and Gregory under the motto "many hands make light work". This time, the parcels were distributed under strict rules and under the watchful eye of the police at the Soup Kitchen. 

The joy and gratitude at the handing out radiates from it. Monica about this: "We are very grateful to everyone who made this possible!"

June 2020

We can count ourselves lucky to be living in a country where help and support seem almost self-evident. This does not apply to all countries and certainly not to African countries such as Namibia. Especially the people in the slums are devoid of many basic things because of the lockdown. This is also the case with the families of "our" children. There is hunger and Home of Good Hope (HoGH) now also helps the families locally.

Food packages

Fortunately, many people have responded to our calls for extra support. HoGH was able to transfer a nice amount for the purchase of basic food locally, such as corn flour, sugar, oil and canned fish. A happy and grateful Monica Imanga, "we have a strong team", immediately got to work enthusiastically. She knows the people and circumstances in which they live like no other and made a list of the most vulnerable families. Her son Peacemaker made the purchases and the packages were put together with the help of 6 volunteers. The more than 150 packages accounted for no less than 3x the fully loaded pick-up car (bakkie). It was a very busy day for everyone, with a lot of happy faces as a reward at the distribution of Home of Good Hope in the slum.

Help HoGH through the winter

Now that winter is approaching, this is expected to lead to an increase in the number of positive cases, which may lead to a (re)introduction of the strict lockdown measures with all the consequences this entails.

The distribution of food packages has been a resounding success, but given the circumstances, continuation of this primary aid is urgently needed. Fortunately, we can continue to provide the children of HoGH with their daily meals, but the families from which these children come now have no income and therefore no money to buy food.

Let's try together to help these vulnerable people get through the winter.

Are you in?

You can transfer your contribution to:

NL93 RABO 0162 5623 30 in the name of Stg Home of Good Hope stating ‘Noodhulp’  

June 2020

Poor countries and therefore the kids of Home of Good Hope urgently need help. The worldwide corona virus threatens an unprecedented economic and humanitarian crisis. The poorest countries in Africa are the most vulnerable. Namibia, and with it also "our" children from the Goreangab shanty town who are daily designated for a nutritious meal at Monica's "Soup kitchen", have a hard time.

No work
Since May 5 there has been a partial lockdown in Namibia. Travel is allowed again within national borders, but this expansion offers absolutely no relief. There is almost no work left and the tourists are staying away. Tourism is one of the main sources of income for this beautiful country. As a result, many people have no income and therefore no food. This mainly affects people in the slums where people are desperate and rebellious and even break into shops.

Hungry
Monica's Soup Kitchen, which especially the children from the Goreangab slum have to rely on for a nutritious meal a day, is also having a hard time. Monica about this: "Our government tries to help with food packages, but they aren’t reaching everyone." She shows her sincere gratitude for the fact that she can give the children an adapted meal (sandwiches and fruit) with our gifts, among other things. But unfortunately that does not apply to the children’s families who are also starving.

Concerns about school lessons
Just like us, people in Namibia also plan to give online lessons. Monica is very concerned about this because "her" children often do not have a smartphone or access to the internet. "I really don't think it's fair on the poor kids." That's why she appreciates the fact that the homework classes we support can continue.

Support for HoGH more than welcome
HoGH means a lot to the children in this slum in Windhoek. And certainly now, besides that super necessary meal for the children, help is also needed for the families. This is only possible thanks to your generous gifts. Let's get started!

You can make a contribution to NL 93 RABO 0162 5623 30.

May, 2020

Two years ago in 2017/18 I was working at the soup kitchen Home of Good Hope with many German and Namibian volunteers. They became family. 

In March 2020 me and Cici who was also a volunteer with me 2 years ago, visited Namibia again for 10 days and we were just really happy to see all the children and Namibian volunteers again. It all happened shortly before the virus overtook all of europe and before the lockdown in Namibia started.

But Namibia was still getting the news about Corona virus and even the children whispered "Corona virus" when they saw us Europeans.
We really didn't mind. We were just really glad to see everything still running smoothly and the children being fed and happy. That's the most important thing.
Unfortunately we had to leave the country very surprisingly as the government canceled all flight from and to Germany Ethiopia and Qatar effective immediately on March 14th. We were not even able to say goodbye to our friends.

Right now, as everything is on partial lockdown in Namibia, it is really hard for families to feed their children and the already unstable situation is only gonna get worse..

Thanks to donations from Europe Home of Good Hope still is a home for hope as they continue to feed countless children everyday. I really hope for the situation to get better real fast so we can come back and hug our friends and the children again.

April 2020

Corona measures are disastrous in poor countries such as Namibia

The COVID-19 epidemic has caused the government to lockdown in Namibia. We are very concerned because the slums are threatened by hunger and extreme poverty. As with us, all major gatherings are suspended and schools are closed. Also the homework classes have had to stop temporarily, just like the preparation of the daily fresh meals.

Monica and the people who help her have to improvise. 
They are now handing out packages of sandwiches and giving them in lunchboxes that the children bring themselves.

We help Monica's Soup Kitchen by transferring money for the food each month and also provide extra money for soap, hand gel, disinfectant, extra fruit and vitamins. They need our support more than ever!

Monica says:

“Yes, we still give the sandwiches, fruit and food in their lunchboxes. If we don't, the kids will find food in the bins and pick up old, rotten food like they used to. Now some children even walk all the way from the soup kitchen to my house in Wanaheda and ask for food.

I keep looking for food. What can I do? I'm just a concerned mother. We are surviving under the conditions of this deadly virus.”

We warmly support Monica’s tireless efforts for the children!