We are privileged to be part of a program that will facilitate the promotion of birth registrations and raise awareness of human rights for children in the informal settlements in Katutura.   The EU and Fondazione Terre des Hommes Italy (TDH) are funding the program to the tune of N$2,7 million, with the EU contributing 60% of the project costs, and TDH, one of our current major sponsors, funding 40% of the project. Our role in the partnership is to deliver information services along with Hope Initiatives Southern Africa (HISA), and to work closely with the Government of Namibia.  We will be setting up an information desk to help caregivers acquire all documentation needed to register for a birth certificate.  This office will be located on the plot of land in Havana (Katutura) that we want to purchase for our new centre.  We will be open five days a week, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and are targeting orphans and vulnerable children, their families and caregivers, as is our mandate.

Bruno Neri, Senior Project Manager, Fondazione Terre des Hommes, Italy, and Ambassador Raul Fuentes Milani, Head of the EU Delegation to Namibia, shake hands after signing the agreement.

The absence of birth registrations is a big issue we face daily at Family of Hope Services.  We have spent years facilitating the registration of the children who come to the Centre for help, and it is a welcome initiative to have a more formalized system set up that expands the service to all children in need, and that provides financial and logistical support to facilitate our efforts.

Abigail Bachopi, Director of Family of Hope, introducing the Honourable Martin David, Councilor, Moses Garoeb Constituency.

 

 

At the signing ceremony: Foibe Silvanus (Master of Ceremonies and Programmes Coordinator for FHS), Deborah Da Boit, Project Manager, TDH), Hilia Nambinga (Hope Initiative), Bruni Neri (Senior Project Manager, TDH), Abigail Bachopi (Founder and Director, FHS)” width=”640″ height=”427″ /> At the signing ceremony: Foibe Silvanus (Master of Ceremonies and Programmes Coordinator for FHS), Deborah Da Boit, Project Manager, TDH), Hilia Nambinga (Hope Initiative), Bruni Neri (Senior Project Manager, TDH), Abigail Bachopi (Founder and Director, FHS)

A huge thank you to all of our local development partners who have made this possible:

Ambassador Raúl Fuentes Milani – Head of the EU Delegation to Namibia

Bruno Neri – Senior Programme Officer, Fondazione Terre des Hommes, Italy (TDH)

Honourable Rosalia Nghidinwa, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Namibia

Family of Hope’s Care Team volunteers, dancing for the event.