Our Valuable Children

The HIV and AIDS pandemic are affecting Sub-Saharan Africa to the greatest extent and as a result the number of orphans is continuously growing. Namibia’s population of 1.9 million people is relatively small. However the Namibian community is not yet in a position to care for the 140 000 orphans (estimated for 2010 are 170 000 orphans, UNAIDS and UNICEF, 2006) and many more vulnerable children. Christ’s Hope International’s vision and mission clearly define the goal to reach out to and nurture orphans and vulnerable children.

The first Orphans and Vulnerable Children Consultation took place in 2007 and new directions for the organization were discussed. An analysis of the approach then pointed out that the Arks as a residential child care facility could only cater for a small number of children yet many more children are in need. A new ministry model was developed with Ministry CarePoints in the community where children come for meals and join after-school-programs as well as other activities such as Children’s clubs and camps.
However, the implementation of the program was delayed, due to the fact that the finalization of the standards and training of the staff were only done at the beginning of 2010. Since then we established four Ministry CarePoints at our Ministry Centres in Keetmanshoop, Rehoboth, Okahandja and Oshikuku which cater for a total of 127 children in different setups such as foster care, residential care in the Ark and Ministry CarePoints. Out of these 127 children, 35% are considered as vulnerable (the child is susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm or does not have access to health care or education), 35% are single orphans and 29% have lost both their parents (percentages are rounded down).

We feel called to serve the children and to give them hope for a better future with Christ and therefore we spell out ‘OVC’ in our program as Our Valuable Children. The aim of our Ministry CarePoint is to care holistically for the children entrusted to us. This is based on Luke 2:52. We therefore would like to see them grow spiritually, physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Key to the growth and development of the Ministry CarePoint is funding. The ICAN (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13) child sponsorship program will allow us to unite the efforts of the Mobilization and Ministry Countries.

The Ministry CarePoints have the potential to cater for a far bigger number of children. Firstly, in our existing structures, and secondly to partner with churches and schools. However, funds are needed to realize this.We would like to increase our efforts in strengthening existing families, nurturing broken families and providing vision for future families.