In a quiet act of selflessness, a Namibian woman has made the decision to donate her body to the University of Namibia School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, becoming only the second Namibian to do so.

In her donation letter to UNAM’s Division of Anatomy, the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she has consulted family and informed them of her desire to leave behind a meaningful legacy.

The donor, in her message, stated that this decision had taken years of reflection.

“While it may not sit well with some of my relatives, my close relatives have been consulted and have committed to honoring my wishes.”

Her body will be used for anatomical studies over a two-year period, after which her loved ones may choose to receive her ashes or have them scattered at the Garden of Remembrance.

Her gesture brings UNAM’s current cadaver count to five, with four already in use—three from South Africa and one Namibian donated last year.

According to UNAM spokesperson Simon Namesho, the institution ideally needs at least ten cadavers annually to meet the training needs of its growing medical student population.

Sourcing cadavers remains a challenge, compounded by cultural beliefs and taboos around death and the human body.

The donor herself acknowledged the emotional and cultural weight of her decision: “It was not an easy decision to make,” she wrote, “and may not sit well with some. But I believe this act will support the training of future healthcare professionals and serve a greater societal good.”

She informed nbc News, “Why go lay under a sand blanket and be eaten by termites while future medical professionals could use my kidneys, eyes, heart, pancreas, liver, bones, and other body parts for practicals that will benefit thousands of Namibians in the future? This is my contribution to the Namibian nation.”

Still, not all family members and friends are supportive. “My mom was against that,” the same person explained. “My mom used to say, ‘You can write it wherever, but I will bury you with all your organs.’”

She has updated her will to include her wishes.