HOPE Preserves

Facts on Africa

Africa

1. Africa is the second biggest continent on Earth (you could fit China, India, Europe, Argentina, New Zealand and mainland USA in this continent!).
2. Africa is the second most populous continent, home to roughly 12 percent of all humans or 840 million people, 53 countries and over 1,000 languages.
3. Africa has the longest river (the Nile) and the largest desert (the Sahara) in the world.
4. Africa is the place where humans first existed. Fossil remains show humans existed in Africa over 4 million years ago and perhaps as long as 7 million years.
5. Africa is currently considered the poorest continent on Earth.

Namibia

1. Namibia is the least densely populated country in Africa (2 million).
2. Namibia is a desert country of stark beauty with one of the world's wildest coastlines.
3. Fossils of dinosaur footprints, between 150 and 185 million years old, have been designated a national monument of Namibia.
4. Namibia was colonized by the Germans during the later half of 1800. In 1968 South West Africa was renamed Namibia by the United Nations, but Namibia did not gain independence until 1990. The capital city is Windhoek.
5. 68% of schools in Namibia do not have toilets and 60% do not have electricity.

Windhoek

1. The present Windhoek was founded on October 18, 1890. The population is over 250,000, half living in informal settlements well below the poverty level.
2. The Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant is internationally renowned as the first plant in the world to reclaim domestic sewage for drinking water purposes. After 32 years it continues to be the only plant in the world to do so.
3. In 2006, Windhoek made an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Braai” (BBQ!).
4. Windhoek has one of the oldest weather bureaus in the world.
5. Most poverty level Namibians, even in Windhoek, eat just once a day...if they are lucky.

Katutura

1. Katutura, population 120,000, was an official township for black Namibians since before the apartheid time, until 1989. It is now a suburb of the city of Windhoek.
2. Most houses are signed with a letter on the door to show the tribal background of the owners (O for Owambo tribe).
3. Katutura can be considered as a "real African" suburb with street markets and much happening outside. The name means "Place where we do not want to live" in Otjiherero.
4. In a five-block area 1000 children were found to be in need. Over 510 of these are orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS.
5. Continuing risk factors of this area are alcohol and drugs in the home, sickness, disabled children, extreme poverty with several people living on one income, over-crowded housing, unemployment, crime, illiteracy, and disease.

Kilimanjaro, Ombili & Okahandja Park Schools

These three school sites in Katutura are run by a non-profit called the Hope Initiatives South Africa, or HISA, founded by a wonderful Zimbabwean couple, Patricia Sola and John Mafukidze. By 2011, all three school sites will be moved to the Kilimanjaro location.

Patricia and John started out feeding a few orphans from their car. Now, they have developed an organization that provides education, play groups, therapy, vocational training, and a soup kitchen for over 400 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC's). The project also includes health and nutrition programs, back-to-school and schooling programs, income generation, support groups for persons and families living with HIV/AIDS and children at risk.

In addition, the PlayGroup Program is designed for children of non-school going ages (2-6 years old) to prepare them for regular school. The Bridging School Program is for students who have never attended school or who dropped out due to difficult personal circumstances.

The efforts of the Hope Initiatives are supported by fantastic teams, including 25 local community programs, as well as international volunteers, staff and groups raising donations of supplies, money and time... such as ours - HOPE Preserves!

Why HOPE Preserves - HIV/AIDS facts in Namibia

1. The prevalence of HIV in Namibia is among the highest in the world.
2. Since 1996, HIV has been the leading cause of death in the country.
3. Close to 17 per cent of the country’s children under the age of 18 are orphaned by at least one parent – mostly due to HIV.
4. Since Namibia gained independence, life expectancy has declined: from 61 years in 1991, to only 49 years in 2001.
5. Many children are left homeless and destitute. In Namibia, with a population of 1.8 million, there are over 20,000 orphans. By 2010 there will be 80,000.

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