Namibia: Toucy Hosts Charity Dinner for OVC

Tag : vehicle toys

New Era (Windhoek)
3 November 2008
Posted to the web 3 November 2008
Petronella Sibeene

A charity gala dinner in an all-star setting was held in thecapital on Thursday evening, to raise funds for orphans andvulnerable children at three children's homes.
The proceeds will be directly used to purchase food and groceriesfor disabled children, children living with HIV and AIDS andorphans at three centres in Windhoek.
Although she could not quantify the amount made in terms of pledgesthat night, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Toucy ImageCreation (TIC) Toucy Tjijombo, told New Era that the funds will goto Oponganda Centre for Children with Disabilities in Oponganda,Baby Haven in Grysblok and Mother's Voice in Dolam.
The three centres are mainly in need of food, clothes, milk formulaand transport.
A video recording of the three homes screened during the galadinner reflected the situation at the three centres.
During the gala event, framed pictures of Namibia's renowned menand women in different categories were auctioned.
The first frame to be auctioned depicted faces of Prime MinisterNahas Angula, Speaker Theo-Ben Gurirab and Minister of Trade andIndustry, Hage Geingob.
The entrepreneur category included pictures of Frans Aupa Indongo,Ranga Haikali and Sacky Nujoma.
Another frame depicted Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Primus Hango and TarahShaanika under the businessmen and women category.
Described by the patron of TIC Inge Zaamwani Kamwi as a socialentrepreneur, Tjijombo said, "We are still collecting the moneypledged and we still appeal to the public to give whatever theycan."
She added, "Donate it can be as small as one dollar, food,vehicles, toys, clothes, it can be financial support to help payelectricity or telephone bills, it will make a difference."
Still to come is a Christmas party for the children set for earlyDecember, and a festival in April 2009, which will feature afashion show, movie shoot and a theatre play.
Oponganda centre caters for up to 20 children with disabilities whoare cared for by three volunteer workers.
The centre, opened in 2001, needs a vehicle to transport childrenfrom their homes to the centre. It also needs food and clothing.
The Baby Haven, permanent home to eight children and more than 30who are fed daily, started in 2003 under the auspices of GospelOutreach Church and was coordinated by Agnes Tom.
Three sisters have taken over the legacy of their mother and arecontinuing the work of looking after children living with HIV andAIDS and orphans of HIV/AIDS.
The centre that cares for children aged 0 to 2 years is currentlyin need of baby formula, clothes and food.
Equally, Mothers Voice in Dolam has six children that live thereand feeds more than 80 children who come from as far as OkahandjaPark.
Namibia has about 120000 OVC according to the Ministry of GenderEquality and Child Welfare.
Tjijombo expressed gratitude towards Oupa Frans Indongo, DeputyMinister of National Youth Service, Sport and Culture PohambaShifeta, Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Telecom Managing Director FransNdoroma, First National Bank Namibia Group Chief Executive OfficerAdvocate Vekuii Rukoro and Hildah Basson Namundjebo for attendingthe event.