Trust Purpose

Jenny Shipley’s Charitable Trust to benefit the Children of Namibia

I recently traveled to Namibia to film a television travelogue. In the North of that country, on the Angolan border, I came across this school -Ehomba Primary that is in desperate need of assistance. This region is known as Kaokaoland, and is home to the Himba tribe. Many of the children that come to this school, although not traditionally dressed like Mwendela here, are Himba - it struck me as an amazing and fragile ancient culture - that will be preserved only through the empowerment of its people through education.

There are 132 students aged 7 to 18 years who board here during the week and walk to school on Sunday afternoon and home at the weekends, a trip of anything up to 20 kilometers .  Their school is an old army base, left over from the bloody and recent Angolan war which finished in 2002.  It is stark and the conditions hard, but it offers hope!

The principal, Mr Zauana, is an inspired character who is trying desperately to hold things together in an isolated area with scant resources. The school has no electricity because the generator caught fire and the shed burnt down last June. The teachers have few teaching materials and resources but they remain committed and enthusiastic. Some of the things the children learn here are a matter of life and death. Their version of a “keeping yourself safe” poster was a land mine poster! 

But the kids have that shine in their eyes and just want a chance!

They seemed so eager to learn despite the odds. I’m eager for your support to help them do so.

We’ve already  begun by sending teaching materials which they were enormously grateful for and we are in discussions on whether a diesel generator or solar power are the best long term and sustainable energy solutions. There are mattresses and blankets required, some attention to sustainable food supply with gardens and fruit trees and other teaching materials that are under consideration. The Namibian Educational Trust is established, the goal is NZ$100,000 and we are well on the way.

All the funds raised for the Trust will go to these children. Neither Burton, nor I, nor the other trustees will take any funds from the Trust. We intend to visit the school in August at our own cost to see that these issues are progressed and have a local lodge owner as our eyes on the ground working closely with us

This is a great chance to do something with the children of Africa directly.

Thanks so much for you kind support!

Jenny Shipley