N$8 000 raised for abused domestic worker teen

The girl (16) who was allegedly employed as a domestic worker without pay at Oshiyagaya village in the Oshikoto region is recovering at Onandjokwe State Hospital after N$8 000 was raised to assist her.

Her situation came to light after she approached villagers asking for directions to the home of another Angolan domestic worker. Some of the money has been used to buy her basic necessities and clothes.

In a video that was circulating on social media on 2 March, the teenager, who hails from Calonga village in Angola’s Cunene province, says she was lured by her employer with the promise of N$500 a month.

The suspect, Selma Daniel (62), who has since been arrested, remains in custody after making her first appearance at the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court two weeks ago. The police say the woman employed the underage girl as a domestic worker, failed to provide her with food and assaulted her.

Ohakweenyanga village resident Helena Kashinduka told The Namibian yesterday that N$8 000 was raised through a WhatsApp group created after the teen was admitted to hospital.

“What prompted us to assist her is simply humanity. The video that circulated was very touching, and what happened to her was inhuman. The video moved many Namibians. As members of the group, we felt it was important not just to talk, but to take action,” she says. Kashinduka says she and another group member, Paulus Nakapata, started visiting the teen after she was admitted to the hospital.

“We would like to thank all the people who came through for our girl. Your support, contributions and care truly mean a lot,” Kashinduka adds.

The group’s admin, Susan Kalimba, says after creating the group she donated N$1 000.

“I could imagine the pain she went through. It was heartbreaking to hear and see what she went through,” she says.

Kalimba, who is currently based abroad, told The Namibian that she has been facilitating the group from where she is.

She says, with the group now having over 500 members, she has been able to stay in touch with the nurses and doctors.

“The goal is to at least reach N$20 000 that she can make use of when she is back in Angola.”

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.