Rejuvenating Namibia: A Journey of Hope, Healing, and Empowerment

Last year, I had the incredible honor of being invited to Namibia to help run children's well-being camps organized by my friend and human rights activist, Rosa Visolela Namises. This transformative experience took place in Katutura, a township on the outskirts of Windhoek, often referred to as "The Place No-one Wants To Be." This area holds a painful history, where black communities faced displacement during the 60s and 70s.

Through the camps, we facilitated workshops aimed at reconnecting young people to their true selves. We focused on building their self-esteem through songs, games, and a powerful sharing circle that promoted healing and connection.

Feeling uneasy about stepping into this poignant space as a white woman with limited ties to the land and people, Rosa and I recognized the importance of creating a safe environment for sharing emotions and experiences. By encouraging open dialogue, we transformed discomfort into understanding and trust.

Our workshops progressed into vital lessons on establishing kitchen gardens. Participants learned about the importance of healthy food options and lifestyle choices for their overall well-being. Plans were also underway for a camping trip at Rosa's rustic farm, promising deeper connections with nature and each other.

This experience proved valuable not only for the young people but also for me. I felt immense gratitude for the chance to contribute to such a meaningful cause.

A Call to Action: Supporting Women’s Solidarity, Namibia

We are about to start a fundraiser for Rosa's organization, Women's Solidarity, Namibia. La Source is donating £1000 of our profits to the cause. Rosa's Damara people own 3,000 hectares of desolate land north of Windhoek. This area is home to communities grappling with extreme poverty and health issues.

In 2018, Rosa established an Eco Garden on the land that dramatically improved lives by providing fresh produce, and income and nutritional benefits. However, since 2021, this initiative has faced severe challenges due to drought conditions. Efforts to install boreholes have failed, as hydrologists found that the local aquifers have run dry.

Interestingly, Rosa discovered that boreholes may worsen the flood/drought cycle. New strategies are necessary. With appropriate support for low-cost lakes and ponds, we could revitalize the water cycle. This approach would not only refill aquifers but also rejuvenate the land to support plant and animal life.

Over time, these efforts could even promote increased rainfall, breaking the destructive cycle of floods and droughts. If successful, it is hoped that this will become a model that can be repeated in other communities. We are being supported by www.waterstories.com and www.wildbananadesign.com who are expert in Small Water Cycle Regeneration, syntropic agriculture and agro-foresty. If you are interested in pioneering ways to restore our eco-system, check out the films on the Water Stories website. This is powerful stuff!

Rosa Visolela Namises sharing her big heart!

The Vision for a Sustainable Future

We are determined to raise £5,000 to help turn this vision into reality. This funding is crucial for implementing eco-friendly solutions that restore the land and empower local communities. Imagine a landscape once thriving with life, filled with food-bearing plants, nurturing families and communities.

Supporting this initiative goes beyond just donating money; it is about believing in a shared vision for a sustainable future. By investing in community-led projects like the Eco Garden, we address the root causes of poverty and health disparities, equipping children and families with the tools they need to thrive.

Furthermore, the educational aspects of the workshops we conducted are vital to this mission. By teaching young participants about sustainable gardening practices, we provide them with essential skills and knowledge to care for their environment while enhancing their health.

Connecting through Nature

The camps highlighted the power of nature in promoting well-being. Children learned not only through theoretical lessons but also through hands-on experiences with the land. They developed connections with the earth, grasping its rhythm and resilience.

Through gardening, they gained a sense of agency. Planting seeds and nurturing them allowed these young individuals to see the direct impact of their actions. This tangible connection to the earth empowers them, sparking a sense of responsibility toward their community and environment.

A vegetable patch in need of water and restoration to provide hope and nourishment for the community.

An Inspiring Journey Worth Supporting

The journey through the children's well-being camps in Namibia opened my heart to the depths of human resilience and the potential for healing through connection and nature. It highlighted the immense power of community and the significance of sustainable practices.

We are facing an urgent need for funding to rejuvenate the land and uplift the community. As we work towards raising £5,000 for the Women's Solidarity, Namibia initiative, let's remember that we each hold a piece of that vision—a sustainable future grounded in health, empowerment, and hope.

By supporting this cause, you become part of a movement that enriches lives while promoting a vision capable of transforming a landscape burdened by history into one brimming with potential for the future. Together, we can make a difference, one seed at a time.