Nanaso rises from ashes

AFTER experiencing a really low point in 2002, when the organisation had only three volunteers and faced serious financial constraints, the Namibian Network of AIDS Organisations (Nanaso) is now working with 255 organisations and looks set to perform its function as national umbrella body networking with people working with HIV-AIDS.

In Windhoek on Tuesday, Nanaso was awarded a ‘Best Practice Certificate’ by the German Development Service (ded) for their networking and capacity-building activities. It has provided N$378 00 over the past three years to help the umbrella body get back on its feet.The programme co-ordinator for ded, Marinanne Woeller, said a question mark had been placed over the future existence of Nanaso in late 2002 when members expressed their doubts about its role as a networking body.”At the same time, the progressive loss of credibility and public confidence made securing funding sufficient funding very difficult,” she said.Despite these daunting circumstances, the three staffers, working as volunteers, set about reorganising Nanaso.Many other volunteers pitched in here too.”Nanaso were supported and helped to overcome their problems, because they showed openness, honesty and a friendly atmosphere to discuss every issues connected with the organisation’s functioning,” according to Woeller.Giving an update on Nanaso activities, National Co-ordinator Michael Mulondo said the organisation had interacted with 124 non-governmental organisations, 104 community-based organisations and 27 faith-based organisations in 2005 with all regions covered at least once during the year.According to statistics from the Nanaso secretariat, there are more than 17 000 volunteers, 1 000 fulltime and almost 300 part-time staff working at these organisations across Namibia.It has provided N$378 00 over the past three years to help the umbrella body get back on its feet.The programme co-ordinator for ded, Marinanne Woeller, said a question mark had been placed over the future existence of Nanaso in late 2002 when members expressed their doubts about its role as a networking body.”At the same time, the progressive loss of credibility and public confidence made securing funding sufficient funding very difficult,” she said.Despite these daunting circumstances, the three staffers, working as volunteers, set about reorganising Nanaso.Many other volunteers pitched in here too.”Nanaso were supported and helped to overcome their problems, because they showed openness, honesty and a friendly atmosphere to discuss every issues connected with the organisation’s functioning,” according to Woeller.Giving an update on Nanaso activities, National Co-ordinator Michael Mulondo said the organisation had interacted with 124 non-governmental organisations, 104 community-based organisations and 27 faith-based organisations in 2005 with all regions covered at least once during the year.According to statistics from the Nanaso secretariat, there are more than 17 000 volunteers, 1 000 fulltime and almost 300 part-time staff working at these organisations across Namibia.