Four women, moved by the plight of orphans and vulnerable children have taken up the vocation to support needy children in their area.

Children Sanctuary Namibia, a shelter founded by Helger Mecker, Ida Kambases, Matengu Theresa, and Magdalena Goeieman Antika, is located in Drimiopsis in the Omaheke Region.

Ida Kambase, one of the founders who has a great heart for her community in Drimiopsis, says it all started with simple conversations with the other members who started Children Sanctuary Namibia about the struggles many children were facing. 

Seeing orphans and abandoned children going hungry moved them to act, starting in a small way by coming together to make sure the children had at least one meal a day.

"We met in 2013 and discussed the challenges faced by children, especially orphans, children whose parents passed away, and those abandoned by their parents. Because of this, I suggested that we start by cooking pap and soup, gather the children, and feed them. Even if we had little, at least the children would not go hungry or sleep without food," related Kambase.

Theresa Matengu describes Children Sanctuary Namibia as a safe place where vulnerable children are cared for, supported, and shown love by dedicated caregivers. 

"So this is children sanctuary it is a child facility. Where kids are kept who need help and care, where they experience that love, by the caregivers."

Kambase added that the sanctuary supports children from different backgrounds, helping them access education and prepare for a better future.

"We also have children with disabilities, and the children attend school from here. This is the second intake, as the first group has grown up and started their own lives. These are the new children now."

Despite the impact the sanctuary has made over the years, Matengu says financial challenges remain one of their biggest, limiting them to expand and properly accommodate the children in their care.

"There's a lot going on here the problem is the lack of funds for the institution to grow from where it is currently we are housing about 16 kids in this building we are sitting here is just supposed to be an office, but we house them here as we went outside there, you could see another building, which is not complete, so we are appealing for help. LINKAny assistance from anyone who can help us to complete the building, also to assist the kids in any way."