Heroism is often associated with political good deeds, but for Paramedic Ndapewa Mathews, it is about putting the needs of others before hers.
As Namibia prepares for Heroes Day, the NBC News team sat down with Mathews, whose daily acts of service continue to make a difference in people's lives.
“What initially attracted me to this career was the opportunity to make a difference. I mean, as a medic, you meet people in very difficult times in their lives. But the fact that you can make a change or be a contributing factor—really, it's fulfilling.”
Mathews has been on the frontlines of emergencies for 11 years, and behind every emergency call is a cry for help.
She said some scenes have left permanent emotional scars long after the sirens have fallen silent.
One of the scenes is the head-on collision between Windhoek and Okahandja in March.
“The sedan had five occupants, while the SUV had one driver. When we arrived at the scene, the sedan was still on fire, and all five occupants had succumbed to their injuries. It was a really, really difficult scene because there were so many emotions. I still remember hearing the dying voices and smelling the burnt remains. It was tragic. I don’t think any normal person could easily handle something like that. I also remember having to compose myself because we needed to attend to the other patient in the other vehicle. Unfortunately, he also succumbed to his injuries. It was a very, very difficult and traumatic scene.”
Mathews said her job is more than just an ambulance arriving at a scene because they also have to assess patients, make critical decisions under pressure, and monitor their changing conditions throughout the journey.
In addition, she explained that the job also comes with significant personal sacrifices to ensure they are available to attend to those in need.
“We are in the essential services, and I think the one thing that we put aside for our patients is our time. That is a big sacrifice. It's your weekends, it's your public holidays, it's your birthdays, and sometimes important family gatherings. Those are the times that you would want to be there for your family, but you are on duty. And with accidents, they don't wait for a convenient time to happen. It just happens.”
What makes the job rewarding for her is seeing patients recover and return to normal life.
“So, we have had heroes, and we still have heroes. These are the people who put their own needs aside for the sake of others. It really, really carries so much weight, and if somebody calls me a hero, well, I’ll take it. I appreciate it, but it’s not really about the recognition.”
She urged Namibians to contribute by finding ways to make life easier for others, no matter how small.