Namibia
Namibia is one of the world’s least populated
About 2.6 million people statistics stated
Although it has multi-party democracy
With a constitution granting rights, freedom and equality
One can’t help but notice the hypocrisy.
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For example, the LGBT community
Is working to become decriminalized
Gender roles are well defined
Men build and maintain the home
Work in the field, tend to livestock, and plow
Women do the housework, tend to children
Prepare food, and provide agricultural labour
Looks to be even, but it isn’t always somehow:
About on third of the women experience violence and abuse
And many men believe they have the right to abuse their wives
An interesting initiative was introduced
To ensure a balance in government of genders
It’s called: The “Zebra System” What splendour
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Now we’re leaving Botswana
We know you’re gonna wanna
Travel a bit west is best, of course
We’ll go by foot - Can’t ride a horse
Are you ready? Got your mask?
Where are we going you ask
Well, it’s not the capital of Libya,
Oh no! It’s Namibia
The 34th largest country in the world
Size of Venezuela, so I’m told
Take lots of water with ye
Cause Namibia is the world’s driest country
Located between two deserts:
Desert Namib and Desert Kalahari
Such dry heat they do exert
It’s the only Sub-Saharan country to provide water municipally
Also, education here is free
BUT in the 298 schools
there are NO toilet facilities
What can children do
When they need to pee or pooh
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Lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene
Cause over 50% of the deaths of children
23% by diarrhoea… Now, ain’t that obscene?
“Sanitation crisis” declared the UN
Life expectancy is about 64
And 200,000 folks or more
Are living with HIV/AIDS,
Although it’s levelling so they’ve prayed
But the number of orphans has increased
So parents have deserted or deceased
Tintenpalast, the centre of Namibian government
History has taken many tragic twists
in 1485,the Portuguese arrived but didn’t stay
Then in 1884, the Germans arrived and did this
Farming and infrastructure came into play
But then about 30 years later -German Genocide
A model perhaps for the Nazi Holocaust some say
Then South Africa imposed apartheid laws to abide
But Namibians fought and got their way
Peoples’ rebellions began a half century ago
South West Africa People’s Organization - i.e. SWAPO
Morphed into People’s Liberation Army of Namibia i.e. PLAN
And movement for independence began
In the 1980’s amnesty was given
And 42,000 refugees returned to livin’
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Weddings are important social events
Blend Christian and indigenous elements
A kind of dowry is often paid by the groom with cattle
Polygamy was once common, but is now unlawful
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Please don’t hug me when we meet
Public displays of affection and emotion are frowned upon
Maybe we should go get something to eat
Wiener schnitzel? melon? mutton? or sorghum?
Mining is the major source of revenue
Two TV and 19 radio stations,
Plus several papers for the news
Still, substantial income disparity plagues the nation
Oral literature, such as folk tales and legends
Wood carving, basketry arts are present
Sports are also an enjoyment ticket
Rugby, football and, of course, cricket
Local and national festivals showcase
Music and dance from all over the place
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The Coat of Arms depicts
African Fish Eagle a symbol of the farsightedness
The Oryx symbolizes courage, pride and elegance
The unique desert plant, Welwitschia Mirabilis, symbolizes
fortitude, tenacity and fighter spirit to survive
Diamonds shape resources; the headband refers to traditions
"Unity, Liberty, Justice" are key principles of Namibian Constitution
Stephen Lewis Foundation Supports Projects in Namibia
Catholic Aids Action in Windhoek partners with SLF.
Here is what Archbishop Liborius Nashenda tells us:
Namibia ranks as one of the most HIV/AIDS-affected countries in the world. But most people who have HIV don't know they are infected, which means that the disease continues to spread, unabated. Catholic AIDS Action believes that the AIDS pandemic calls for a holistic response, that addresses both prevention and care.
There is no time to waste. Since its founding in 1998 as the first national church-based response to HIV/AIDS in Namibia, Catholic AIDS Action has grown to become Namibia's largest and most effective non-governmental organisation in the AIDS field. Thirty trained volunteer groups now provide nationwide home-based family care to people infected with HIV and AIDS. Another 35 groups work on income-producing projects, living programs for people who are already infected, peer support, and outreach. Its prevention program has graduated over 4,000 youngsters in a ten-week UNICEF-sponsored course. It has also established national standards for training and supervising home-based care, as well as care of needy orphans.
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The Catholic AIDS Action (CAA) Trust was founded in 1998 by Sr. Dr. Raphael Handler, OSB and Dr. Lucy Steinitz. It builds on the Catholic network of parishes, hospitals and health care institutions, and schools and hostels. CAA also works in partnership with other churches, faith-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, the business sector and Government of the Republic of Namibia line ministries.
The CAA’s work and mission has four principal focuses:
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Home-based family care and counselling,
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HIV and AIDS education and prevention
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Care and support to orphans and vulnerable children
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Voluntary HIV testing counselling.
Mr. Lorenz Hembapu, serves as the head of the organization, supported by Community Home-Based Care Providers Community Health Assistants and After School Program Facilitators.
CAA is providing: Community Home Based Family Centred care and support services, treatment adherence counselling, Program’s beneficiaries’ retention in the continuum of treatment/care, Soup Kitchen services and After School Program Activities , HIV and AIDS education, information and prevention targeting young adolescents, with more focus on a girl child, Care and support to the destitute orphans and vulnerable children , Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling Services (through community outreaches and door-to-door implementation modalities) Linkages of beneficiaries to clinical, social and psychological care and support services through synergies with the other stakeholders and partners.
CAA services are available to all irrespective of religion, race or background, with a preferential option to the poorest and the neediest.