Namibians from all sectors gathered once again to commemorate World AIDS Day (WAD) and to promote the importance of national, local and individual leadership in the nation’s fight against HIV/AIDS and its struggle to increase care, support and respect for those infected and affected by the disease. According to the latest HIV Sentinel Survey, HIV prevalence in Namibia appears to have stabilized at around 20% of pregnant women. The Ministry of Health and Social Services noted that “Everyday about 40 people are getting infected with the virus in Namibia.” Against this sobering backdrop, The Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Kamwi, built on the global WAD theme of “Leadership” to focus on the behavior change and anti-stigma messages of Namibia’s Take Control, “Be There to Care” national campaign and the Ministry of Health and Social Service’s behavioral impact campaign, “Proud to be Tested” and “Consistent Condom Use.” The USG provided funding and technical support through USAID to these campaigns. Newly-arrived US Ambassador to Namibia, Dennise Mathieu joined national and civic leaders, development partners and Members of the diplomatic corps at the national commemoration held in the southern Karas region. The commemoration included site visits to programs supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to allow senior policy makers to see local HIV/AIDS projects firsthand.

All San Girl’s Workshop Seeks to Empower Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship Recipients

“I would like to be President (of Namibia) one day.” A wonderful dream voiced by a confident, articulate young woman named Martha, one of the 56 girls from the Namibian San community gathered in Windhoek for the All San Girls’ Workshop. The workshop was sponsored by the U.S. Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship Program and funded by USAID under the Africa Education Initiative (AEI). At the conference, organized by the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Namibia (FAWENA), the girls received encouragement to continue their education and participated in activities to help build their resilience, self-esteem, and leadership skills. The workshop also faced head-on sensitive issues such as early marriage, early pregnancy and the risk of HIV/AIDS.

The five-day conference was opened by US Ambassador to Namibia, Joyce Barr and Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo. The Deputy Minister’s remarks, and those of other speakers, were full of appreciation to USAID, the United States Government (USG) and the American people. Deputy Minister Ndjoze-Ojo stressed that though the money comes through the government, “It really represents the goodwill of the American people.” She said to the girls, “America is the land of dreams and they are helping your dreams to come true.” Both the Deputy Minister and Ambassador Barr urged the girls to take advantage of this opportunity, never let go of their dreams and not let poverty keep them from achieving great things.

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Focus On Education: USG Support Making a Real Difference for Namibian Students, Teachers and Parents

As of 2006, the United States government (USG), through USAID, has provided approximately $55 million to support education in Namibia. The primary focus of activities is the USAID/NAMIBIA Basic Education Support program. It is concentrated in six northern regions and centers on improving the quality of primary-level teaching in science, math and English; mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS on the education sector, including support to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); and improving the effectiveness of the country’s education management system. USAID/NAMIBIA also supports girls’ education, rural schools and teacher training through the Ambassadors Girls Scholarship Program, HERO (Help At Risk Orphans and Vulnerable Children) and IFESH (International Foundation for Education and Self Help).

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