CSN Responds to Covid 19. Our sister charity, Children’s Sanctuary Namibia (CSN) is working hard to ensure orphans and vulnerable children are as well looked after as possible in these challenging circumstances. During the lockdown, CSN received a special permit from Ministry of Health to continue its activities. When all public schools along with their associated food programs were closed in April, numbers of children using the Soup Kitchen rose, fluctuating daily, placing greater demands on the Soup Kitchen volunteers. They fed an average of 112 children three times a week. At times the number grew to as high as 184. CSN stockpiled vitamins and food to prepare for the closure of borders and the restricted movement of goods and supplies. The Board of CSN and the volunteers received instruction in proper hand washing and sanitizing techniques. Physical distancing was implemented to protect the children from congregating in large groups. CSN quickly adopted “best practices” to maintain the well being of everyone. To date, no active cases of Covid 19 have been reported in the community and schools have begun a gradual reopening.
One of several hand-washing stations set up on the Sanctuary Land.
Covid 19 created great challenges in providing security for the Sanctuary land. With cities under lockdown and businesses closed, many family members returned to Drimiopsis. People sought to set up camp on the unfenced portion of the Sanctuary Land. The three staff employed as security guard, gardener and handyman for the Sanctuary received uniforms. Efforts are now underway to raise funds to fence the entire perimeter of the Sanctuary’s 4.5 hectares. This is an urgent priority.
Security guard David Afrikaner, Gardener/Handyman Joel Zuma, and Assistant Gardener Johannes Kafuru pose in their new uniforms.
Update on the Mother House. We are pleased to announce that toilets and showers are installed in the “Mother House”, one unit for the girls and a separate one for the boys. A big thank you to CSN Board Member, Jeremiah Molestane, who oversaw this installation. Work on the “Mother House” continues with the planning and installation of laundry facilities.
Toilets and showers (ablution unit) are now installed in the “Mother House” .
One of the toilets installed in the boys’ ablution unit.
House Mother and Volunteer Training. The Covid 19 lockdown has kept house Mothers from being able to travel to the orphanage in Omaruru for training and work experience. This training is a prerequisite to the children being placed in the Mother House by the Ministry. Training for the soup kitchen volunteers and Sanctuary staff continues to be provided by the CSN Board on site in Drimiopsis. Workshops take place in the “Mother House”.
A note about Fundraising. The June 7th house concert planned in North Vancouver, BC was cancelled due to Covid 19. The CSNS Board is currently exploring online fundraising opportunities. The Spring Bulb sale and plant sales held in Gibsons, BC were a big success this year, raising $1,015 and $2,300 respectively. Our deep gratitude to all who purchased a plant!
May you be inspired to support our work! Donations of any amount are welcome and will be doubled! An anonymous donor has stepped forward to help us with our fundraising efforts during these challenging times by matching all donations up to $10,000 or until December 31. Use the PayPal option on the “Take Action” page of this website, in Canada through electronic bank transfer to the charity’s email contact@childrenssanctuarynamibiasociety.com or mailed directly to our Treasurer, Betty Owen, 493 Central Avenue, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V1.
Thank you!