School Success

Our children enjoyed successful school experiences this year, socially and academically. The Sanctuary’s staff encourages daily studies, and time is set aside for completing homework, with the older children often supporting the younger ones with their work. The youngest children attend the Sanveld Kindergarten from 9 to one daily; the children aged 6 to 13 participate in primary school, while the older children attend the local high school.

School Certificates

Three of our primary students received certificates in different subjects. C (Grade 3) received certificates in Afrikaans and English, A (center) in Mathematics and Environmental Studies, and J received a certificate in Environmental Studies. Congratulations!

All Smiles

S (age 14) is enjoying success on all levels this year. Here she is with her English teacher, Theresa Matengu, who is also the founding board member of CSN and “Auntie” to all the children.

S in one of her high school classes.

Zuma (CSN’s Handyman/Gardener) enjoys taking the youngest children to Sanveld Kindergarten. Having recently graduated from Kindergarten, these children will move up to Primary School in the following school term.

CSNS sponsors a daily food program at the Sanveld Kindergarten.

Some Pictures from Jeff Mahaira

We are delighted to share some pictures Jeff Mahaira took of his family’s trip to Children’s Sanctuary Namibia and the Sanveld Kindergarten in 2023. Jeff and Lisa Mahaira learned about CSN through their sons, Kai and Kiyoshi, who attend Canyon Heights Elementary School in North Vancouver, BC. Canyon Heights raises funds for CSNS through student popsicle sales. Proceeds from the popsicle sales help support CSN’s Kindergarten and soup kitchen food programs.

The family received a warm welcome from Belinda Tsuses and Chief Ita, who were excited to give the Mahairas a tour of the Mother House and Sanctuary grounds. While the children were at school during their visit, they met the youngest residents of the Mother House when they visited their classroom at the Sanveld Kindergarten.

Thank you, Jeff, for these wonderful pictures!

Here is the Mother House - A safe, loving home for seventeen children, two housemothers and a manager.

The Mahairas meet CSN’s manager, Belinda Tsuses (front centre), Grandmother chief Ita, (holding the soccer ball), house mother Katrina (front right), house mother Victoria (back, right), and CSN founding board members, Theresa Matengu, and Lazarus.

The Kitchen in the Mother House.

The Dining hall in the Mother House is where the children eat meals and work on homework. We are grateful to the Mercker family for their donations of furniture.

A tour of the boy’s dormitory.

The girl’s dormitory.

Chief Ita shows Lisa Mahaira a sample of the walking sticks she makes from a Bessie tree. The Bessie tree also bears fruit which can be eaten. The tree’s bark is boiled and used as a medicine for diarrhea and stomach aches.

A side view of the ground in front of the Mother House.

Johannes, the gardening assistant, lives in this modest home; a tool shed is attached.

The Sanctuary Garden’s corn patch.

Another view of the gardens. A security fence has been erected around the sanctuary grounds.

A partial view of the Sanctuary garden/grounds.

A generator pumps water from the borehole (well) into the water tanks.

The Maiharas take a short drive to visit the Sanveld Kindergarten, where the Mother Houses’ youngest children attend. CSNS funds the Kindergarten’s food program.

Kai and Kiyoshi enjoyed their visit to the Kindergarten classroom.

A friendly “hello” from some Kindergarten students.

A picture of one of the two classes in Sanveld Kindergarten.

Recess time at the playground.

A wave of “good-bye” from Zuma and the three Kindergarten children who reside at the Mother House. Zuma is the Gardener/Handyman for CSN who lives with his family in the Sanctuary. For safety reasons, either he or his assistant, Johannes, transported the children to and from Kindergarten. These three children have now graduated and will attend school this year.

CSN Hosts the International Day of the African Child

In June, the Manager of the Sanctuary, Belinda Tsuses, was approached by the Namibian Ministry of Gender to host the African Child’s Day Celebration. It was a great success with over 500 children, as well as the Governor of the region, senior social workers from the Omaheke Region and officials from the Ministry of Education in attendance.

The event provided wonderful exposure for the CSN Sanctuary and the Board is hopeful it will lead to increased awareness and support from the government. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the CSN Board Members, the staff and volunteers who worked hard to ensure this was a wonderful, memorable event for all.

The Ministry of Gender paid for the food and snacks for the dignitaries, CSN workers and children. It was a lively celebration which included singing, dancing, and speeches as well as food for all.

Over 500 children attended the celebration!

What is the International Day of the African Child?

This event is held every year on June 16. Its aim is to commemorate the SOWETO children’s uprising of 1976, during which thousands of South African students protested the apartheid government’s use of Afrikaans as their language of instruction in Bantu schools. The uprising resulted in the deaths of hundreds of students and is considered a turning point in the struggle against apartheid.

Today, the Day of the African Child is an opportunity to celebrate the realization of the rights of the African child, in line with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The purpose is also to raise awareness of the challenges that children face. The theme for 2023 is “The rights of the Child in the Digital Environment”.

Children's Sanctuary Namibia Society is a Canadian registered charity.