Residents of Okahandja Park in Windhoek turned out in large numbers today, as residents flocked to benefit from the free health services offered by the One Economy Foundation.
The Foundation hosted its #BeFree Building Community event under the theme "Empower Through Health", bringing essential health and wellness services directly to the community.
Long queues that stretched as far as the highway could be observed as community members turned out in large numbers for health consultations, HIV and STI screenings and testing, as well as educational sessions tailored for both young people and families.
To further support the community, every attendee – including children – received food coupons that could be used at various vendor stalls inside the venue, offering a variety of traditional meals and dishes.
The Executive Chairperson of the One Economy Foundation, Monica Geingos, arrived in the company of dignitaries, engaging and taking selfies with the community.
The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health, Taimi Amaambo, emphasised in her statement that health is the foundation of strength, urging community members to make it a top priority.
"We believe that health is power and power is health because if you're not healthy, you will not be able to do your daily work. It is the foundation on which we build our dreams, protect our families and drive our nation forward. Central to the agenda is sexual reproductive health rights; it's not an isolated issue; it is interlinked with education, gender (especially gender equality), poverty education and social justice."
According to Theron, informal settlements are challenged with access to health care, so it was an easy deed to host the event in Okahandja Park to bring services closer to the people.
"Deliberating on the location, we knew we had to go where the need would meet its potential, and Okahandja Park came a natural choice. This is a community that is not defined by its limitations but by its determination to overcome them. The idea behind it is simple: transformation to meet people where they are and empower them with knowledge, access and dignity."
Tobias Hainyeko Councillor Christopher Likuwa emphasised the need for concrete action rather than just words when addressing the challenges faced by residents in the informal settlements."
"Today is not about listening to the speech; it's about action." He warmly encouraged each and everyone to explore the different services. Speak to the health service providers, take part in the wellness activities, visit the empowerment board and engage with the information being shared; the real value of today lies in what we take."
The event was part of One Economy's broader mission to strengthen underserved communities by promoting health awareness, empowerment, and access to sexual and reproductive health rights.