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Last June, the US Government, along with Namibian Government leaders, the Namibia Democracy Support Centre, the Namibia Institute for Democracy, other NGO's and Civil Society representatives celebrated the achievements of the 13-year USAID/Namibia Democracy and Governance partnership. Achievements of the program include: • Built institutional and advocacy capacity in 65 non-governmental and community-based organizations • Supported 100 CSO Advocacy Campaigns • Strengthened the capacity of MPs and Parliamentary staff to perform key functions such as representative and constituency outreach activities • Launched the “Namibia Democracy Support Center,” one of Namibia’s first indigenous democracy organizations, which trained 402 persons in advocacy and strengthened the connections between local, regional, and national politicians and the constituencies that they represent through 271 meetings. Supported Namibia’s anti-corruption initiatives, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, with training to 1,759 persons through the Zero Tolerance for Corruption Campaign.

At the closing ceremony, Ambassador Dennise Matheiu said, "Although the USAID Democracy and Governance program will now come to an end, the United States Government remains committed to the continued development of democratic institutions and practices in Namibia. We stand ready to assist whenever possible with support for electoral processes, the media, the judiciary, and civil society, through our other activities. " To see Ambassador Mathieu's full remarks from the closing ceremony, click here.

This February, an event celebrated the ongoing fruits of this successful partnership. USAID Mission Director Greg Gottlieb joined the Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab and USAID Democracy and Governance partner, the Namibian Institute for Democracy, to launch five Democracy and Governance training manuals and information booklets -- the Parliamentary Committee Quick Reference Guide; Parliamentary Reporters’ Handbook; Guide to the Namibian Budget; Strengthening Political Parties; and the Regional Council and Constituency Handbook.

At the launch, Mission Director Gottlieb said, "Honorable Speaker Gurirab, Namibia has made significant progress as a democratic nation in the relatively short time since Independence. The United States Government has been proud to support your efforts and the launch of these manuals today illustrates the ongoing fruits of this successful partnership.  It is our hope that these publications will be widely distributed and used, and that they will become an integral part of Civil Society activities throughout Namibia and further promote and strengthen Namibia’s democratic institutions."  To see the Mission Director's full remarks from the launch, click here.

Standard Bank of Namibia to Support United States Ambassadors Girls Scholarship Program Empowering More Namibian Girls and Boys to Stay in School and Graduate

This past Fall, U.S. Ambassador Dennise Mathieu and Standard Bank of Namibia Managing Director Pupuma Mpumzi, joined by Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, officially launched the public private partnership between the United States Ambassadors Girls Scholarship Program (AGSP) and Standard Bank of Namibia to expand the reach of this program to empower additional orphaned and vulnerable Namibian learners to take control of their futures by staying in school, performing well in school and reaching the goal of graduation.

The Standard Bank contribution to the Ambassadors Girls Scholarship Program, totaling over $N2.5 million, will enable an additional 200 learners to attend and do well in school for the next five years – to move beyond primary education and reach the goal of graduation. At the launch Ambassador Mathieu said, “I am thrilled that Standard Bank has joined us as a partner in this important program, allowing us to expand its reach and impact. I applaud Standard Bank for stepping up to the plate and actively investing in Namibia’s future by investing in her future leaders.” To see Ambassador Mathieu's full remarks from the launch, click here.

Groundbreaking Partnership Between the US Government and the Namibian Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) community

In June, U.S. Ambassador Dennise Mathieu joined The Honorable Leon Jooste, Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, and leadership from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), International Resources Group (IRG), the Cooperative League of the United States of America (CLUSA), Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organizations (NACSO) and Namibia’s conservancies to celebrate the achievements of a 15-year partnerhsip, Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management program. The gala included the world premier of “For the people, by the people - Community Conservation in Namibia” – a video which documents how the CBNRM program has preserved the bounty and beauty of Namibia, while empowering her people and strengthening communities. To see Ambassador Mathieu's full remarks from the closing ceremony, click here.

The United States Government, Namibia’s CBNRM leaders and development partners are proud of the progress and positive impact of this initiative -- the Namibia CBNRM Program represents one of the preeminent conservation efforts in Africa, if not the world. Namibia is at the forefront of CBNRM practice, serving as an example for other nations and receiving world-wide recognition. Achievements of this highly successful partnership include: 50 conservancies established (14.42% of Namibia’s landmass), benefitting 220,620 previously disadvantaged Namibians (12.8% of the total population); · annual benefits to conservancy members reached almost $40 million Namibian dollars ($5,570,072 US dollars); · 947 full-time and 6,239 part-time jobs created and sustained; · 16 conservancies fully self-sustaining and 22 partially self-sustaining; · 108 small and medium-sized business enterprises established; and, · wildlife is now valued and managed as a communal asset resulting in dramatic increases. To see a copy of the final report on the CBNRM LIFE Program, click here.

More Pharmacist’s Assistants = Better Medical Care for Namibians

Namibia faces an acute pharmaceutical personnel shortage, made worse by the increased burden of HIV/AIDS on the health system. Currently, 63,600 Namibians are receiving ARTS; by 2013, that number is projected to rise to 107,000. Moreover, Namibia is large country with much of its population, many of them infected with HIV and AIDS, spread out in remote areas. More pharmacists and pharmacist's assistants are required to make ART and other vital services available to the growing number of remote and rural patients. The United States government, with funding from PEPFAR, has partnered with Management Sciences for Health/Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems Program (MSH/SPS) Namibia and the Ministry of Health and Social Services to tackle this critical problem.

The National Health Training Center (NHTC) is the cornerstone institution for training health care providers throughout Namibia. Over the past year, MSH/SPS has transformed has two blocks of neglected NHTC buildings – broken window panes, sinks, toilets, and lighting and seeping flooring – from unusable to a state of the art pharmacist assistant training facility. Renovations created lecture rooms, offices, and space for laboratory demonstrations, as well as updating the simulation laboratory. Funding also supported new computer hardware and software and an updated curriculum and tutors.

With the support from the American people, MSH/SPS and the Ministry have increased the capacity of the training unit at the Centre -- more than doubling the intake and tripling the output of pharmacist assistants. This increase will go a long way in filling the ranks of health professionals required to deliver much-needed, quality pharmaceutical care in Namibia. Well-trained pharmacist assistants are central to ensuring that: the correct medicines are available in sufficient quantities; patients are counseled on the proper use of medication; and that someone is monitoring adherence and tracking treatment defaulters. Limited training capacity is a major contributor to the shortage of these critical health professionals.

To see Ambassador Mathieu's full remarks fron the ceremony to open the new facilities, click here.

U.S. Ambassador Dennise Mathieu hands over emergency supplies to the Namibian Red Cross for distribution to people affected by flooding.