By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The Capricorn Foundation has committed to investing N$980,000 to support 10 community-based projects across Namibia through its Vulnerability Initiatives Focus Area.
The foundation announced this during its renewed partnership with Imago Dei this week.
Imago Dei is a welfare organisation that mobilises support and directs resources to community projects, aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable and marginalised people throughout Namibia.
The Capricorn Foundation has been investing in community-based projects through Imago Dei since 2021.
The foundation’s social investment organisation has targeted community development initiatives to address poverty, food insecurity and social vulnerability.
In their press announcement, the foundation stated that through their renewed investment, Imago Dei will support ten approved projects.
These are Feeding with Love, Blessed Meal Soup Kitchen, Bethel Soup Kitchen, Klein Aub Community Soup Kitchen, URC Mariental Soup Kitchen, Grace Welfare, Twaloloka Aid Support and Kindness, Response Action Based Organisation, Hope for Life Foundation and Family of Hope.
According to the foundation, the identified projects provide vital services including daily meals, community support programmes and assistance to vulnerable children, families, and individuals.
As a result, the supported initiatives are expected to contribute to the wellbeing of thousands of Namibians.
According to Imago Dei, it estimates that its network of community projects reaches more than 4,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries, with support extending beyond individuals to entire households and communities.
“Behind every meal served, every child supported and every family assisted is a story of hope. We are proud to continue this journey together and to support initiatives that restore dignity, provide care and create opportunities for people to build better futures for themselves and their families,” said Marlize Horn, Executive Director of the Capricorn Foundation.
Commenting on the partnership, Imago Dei, Welfare and Poverty Relief Programme General Manager, Millinda Coffee, said their organization’s partnership with the Capricorn Foundation creates a significant opportunity for real impact and change within the most vulnerable communities in society.
Adding that their partnership with the Foundation and community projects to support, uplift, and encourage those in need to build a stronger future for themselves.
“Without the backing and support of the Capricorn Foundation, we would certainly not be able to impact the numerous lives that we have,” said Coffee.
She also shared some of the success stories of one of the projects the Capricorn Foundation supported.
The community of Klein Aub is a growing community which faces many hardships, and poverty is certainly one of the biggest.
Many households face a lack of income and, consequently, a lack of food.
Klein Aub Community Soup Kitchen was founded by local church members who realised the need to provide nutritious meals for vulnerable and orphaned children to ensure their future.
The organisation has consistently provided meals for children, pensioners and people with disabilities over the past three years.
Feedback from the community is that these meals have led to the children being healthier and able to better focus on their education, as they are not constantly worried about where their meals will come from.
