CLaSH Takes On Tjivera

DURING the week September 17 to 21 2007, CLaSH was confronted with two newspaper articles resulting from a press conference given by Mr Martin Tjivera, the Executive Director of NNAD, the Namibian National Association of the Deaf.

In his press conference Mr Tjivera accused CLaSH of the “misuse and abuse of Namibian deaf people” and he accused the CLaSH Director of “self-enrichment and corruption”. This was linked to a training workshop for deaf adults, which was organised by CLaSH in Windhoek from August 6 to 10 2007.In the invitation letter it was explicitly stated that CLaSH would not give any reimbursement for travel costs.Mr Tjivera and NNAD called this unfair practice and continued to dispute it even after travel costs had been refunded in full to the workshop participants.CLaSH has been and continues to be ethically sound and socially responsible.CLaSH has been an organisation not-for-gain since its inception and is dependent on financial contributions from donors.Fundraising is done in a transparent and open manner to carry out the mandate of CLaSH, its vision and mission.The CLaSH books are regularly audited and CLaSH’s financial management has never been questioned.CLASH was inaugurated in 1989 and the Director, Ms Heide Beimhauer, has been managing its concerns relentlessly, impeccably, responsibly and with vision.Ms Beinhauer is an individual of highest integrity and formidable education and experience.She enjoys our full trust and support.The CLaSH Board in unison rejects her defamation as delivered by Mr Tjivera.For further details on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the CLASH office.We wish to remove any doubt over the integrity of CLaSH and its Director as quickly as possible.Ilona Asino CLaSH Office Coordinator WindhoekThis was linked to a training workshop for deaf adults, which was organised by CLaSH in Windhoek from August 6 to 10 2007.In the invitation letter it was explicitly stated that CLaSH would not give any reimbursement for travel costs.Mr Tjivera and NNAD called this unfair practice and continued to dispute it even after travel costs had been refunded in full to the workshop participants.CLaSH has been and continues to be ethically sound and socially responsible.CLaSH has been an organisation not-for-gain since its inception and is dependent on financial contributions from donors.Fundraising is done in a transparent and open manner to carry out the mandate of CLaSH, its vision and mission.The CLaSH books are regularly audited and CLaSH’s financial management has never been questioned.CLASH was inaugurated in 1989 and the Director, Ms Heide Beimhauer, has been managing its concerns relentlessly, impeccably, responsibly and with vision.Ms Beinhauer is an individual of highest integrity and formidable education and experience.She enjoys our full trust and support.The CLaSH Board in unison rejects her defamation as delivered by Mr Tjivera.For further details on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the CLASH office.We wish to remove any doubt over the integrity of CLaSH and its Director as quickly as possible.Ilona Asino CLaSH Office Coordinator Windhoek