Miss NGO Namibia focuses on safety for street children

Newly crowned Miss NGO Namibia 2023 Martha Nchindo says she will focus on her ‘Touching Lives’ project during the year of her reign, which is aimed at getting street children off the streets and into orphanages and schools.

Nchindo scooped the crown during a glitzy pageant on 4 August at Okahandja, which saw Jessica Katjiteo from Walvis Bay selected as the first runner-up, Christine Samantha Nendongo from Windhoek the second runner-up and Sesco Thomas from Windhoek as the third runner-up.

“I chose this project because I realised that street children are often at risk of physical and emotional abuse, exploitation and neglect. By getting them off the streets and into safe spaces like schools and orphanages, they can receive proper care, nutrition and protection.

“Helping these kids will help break the cycle of poverty. These children often come from disadvantaged backgrounds where poverty, unemployment and lack of access to basic needs are common. By providing education and support, we can help break the cycle of poverty and give these children a chance to succeed in life,” Nchindo says.

She believes that every child can have a positive impact on society.

“When educating, supporting and providing youngsters with the tools and resources they need to succeed, we can help them become productive members of society and contribute to the overall well-being of their communities and country.

“Winning the Miss NGO crown means a lot to me in the sense that I am now provided with a platform that I am able to use to be a servant to the people. It also provides me with the opportunity to become a voice for the voiceless and give hope to the hopeless,” she says.

Nchindo also plans to host campaigns and workshops where children can be taught skills to use in their daily lives to empower themselves and earn an honest living.

This is Nchindo’s first big title, however, in 2012 she also scooped the Miss Newcomer title at Concordia College. She is passionate about beauty pageants because she believes they provide a platform for young girls to enhance their self-confidence, communication skills, stage presence, talent showcasing and public speaking abilities.

She says beauty pageants inspire young girls to pursue their dreams and goals, develop social skills, network and form friendships.

“I would urge other young ladies to participate in pageants because I believe that pageantry is not all about walking on stage and looking nice, pageantry is about the way that you carry yourself as an individual and how you showcase yourself to other people. It is about how much it helps in building confidence and self-esteem, it’s about how at the end of the day you as a pageant queen can use your voice and your platform to spread a positive message and impact not only your community but also your country as a whole,” she says.

Nchindo is a second-year law student at Triumphant College in Windhoek.

“I decided to pursue this career path because it gives me the opportunity to learn about the different laws in our country and at a later stage I will be able to help people that need legal help. Since starting university, my life has changed for the better in the sense that I am able to look at certain situations and scenarios from not only a citizen’s point of view but from a legal point of view as well.”

Nchindo describes herself as a curious and adventurous person who loves trying new things and exploring new places. She is passionate about learning, gaining new experiences, meeting new people and learning about their unique perspectives on certain issues/topics and their cultures.

“I am driven by my desire to make a positive impact in the world, whether it’s through volunteering, being there for those that are unable to be there for themselves or by simply being kind to others. I am loyal and compassionate and always willing to lend a helping hand. I believe that life is short and should be lived to the fullest. I always try to make the most of every moment and opportunity that comes my way,” Nchindo says.