Helping Hands With Johanna Hauwanga

Baby dumping is not a new phenomenon to Namibia.

It is happening everywhere. But where do the children who survive this terrible abandonment end up? Who looks after homeless children? That’s right, orphanages. And unfortunately, these children struggle and are forced to survive in ways that other children wouldn’t.

Twenty-five year old Johanna Hauwanga is one of the people helping out these abandoned children, one plate at a time. 
The YouthPaper spoke to this inspiring volunteer who regularly assists children in an orphanage.

Growing Up

Born in a small village in the Omusati region 25 years ago, Johanna Hauwanga was raised to be a caring and humble person. She grew up in Katutura and attended People’s Primary School, later going to St George’s Diocesan College. She is currently employed as a sub contractor at Otjomuise Construction.

This young lady is making a change in the lives of the children that she helps. She says she knows the plight of children who have been abandoned by their parents. “I grew up in Katutura myself and being one of the fortunate few, I always wanted to help out in the little way I could.”

Johanna has a giving heart, supports two orphanages and has also started a project with the help of a group of friends. Initially Johanna used to buy food and celebrate her birthdays with the children in orphanages instead of throwing expensive parties. “Later it came to me how I could help the next child, so I made it my mission to help out at orphanages. Someone there directed me to the House of Prayer orphanage. It was in dire need and I felt I could help out with the little that I had.”

Johanna then decided to go out and help in bigger ways and this is where her friends joined in. “The children who are left in orphanages and on the streets did not choose this life so it’s up to us to help where we can, with the little we have.”

The House of Prayer Orphanage

The YouthPaper visited the orphanage in Havana which is run by Pastor Elia Gaingob and and his wife Renia. They cater to close to 20 children, some of which come from houses in the area.

These children include those who are living with disabilities.

The iron-corrugated shack has no access to electricity and water, and they use a small solar panel to help with their everyday needs.

Renia says they really struggle with the day-to-day expenses of the orphanage, but can’t chase away the children as they are in need of assistance.

“We really appreciate people like Johanna because she is making a difference in the lives of the children. At times we are forced to sell our clothes just to ensure the children are fed.”

Those who are living with disabilities at the orphanage find it difficult to overcome their challenges, as they cannot walk to other places and find food.

Instead, they rely solely on the orphanage for their basic needs. Luckily, every Monday to Friday, the little ones are able to attend a kindergarten for free, which Pastor Elia supervises. Unfortunately, there is still a need for more school items such as books, chairs and tables for the children. However, they are trying their best with what they have, but they welcome any donations or contributions.

The Helping Hands Project

Johanna explained how her project works. “My friend, Zandile Kauvee, and I would usually have outreaches where we would collect food, cook for the street children and hand out food to them and the orphanages. People heard about what we were doing and also wanted to lend a helping hand. That was the birth of Helping Hands.

Helping Hands is a group of people who have come together to ‘pitch, commit and put their hands together to help in the little way they can’. It compromises of a group of 19 young Namibians,” she said.

The project, Johanna explained, aims to meet the government halfway with regards to poverty alleviation. “We have nights where we just take food to the street children. In future, we plan to have a soup kitchen every week where we go to different orphanages around Windhoek to help out.

Those of us living comfortable lives should not look down on others but rather help in the areas that we can. It is sad to see children having nothing to eat when we all preach equality in our country.”

Helping Hands said they would like to collaborate with First Lady Monica Geingos on their future projects.

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