One woman, one dream

THEOPOLINA Hamutu is a woman with big dreams and a vision – so seven years ago she started a creche for children in the Goreangab Dam informal settlement on the outskirts of Windhoek.

In 2001, she identified a piece of ground on which she wanted to build a pre-primary school. The property cost her N$46 000 of which she has already paid about N$16 000 out of her own pocket – a huge amount as Theopolina is a cleaner.She works at power utility NamPower.Every month, Theopolina pays the Municipality as much as she can afford but, because of late fee charges, the amount still outstanding is N$38 000.This, however, has not deterred her from pursuing her dream, which she is intent on realising.She has building plans, which have been approved, while the piece of ground has been fenced off with the help of Sara Elago, a Windhoek businesswoman.Now Theopolina hopes that someone from outside will offer some help.She is keen to start with the construction of the three classrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, office and help centre where community members can receive HIV-AIDS counselling and old people can be bathed and cared for during the day.At present, she has 33 children in the Dr Roman Herzog Crèche but no orphans – she believes this is a reason why many organisations are not willing to help her: as all her children are healthy and there are no HIV-AIDS orphans.The single mother of two said that with the help of God and the community she would build a pre primary school one day to help the children of the Goreangab Dam community who now have to walk great distances to go to school.The property cost her N$46 000 of which she has already paid about N$16 000 out of her own pocket – a huge amount as Theopolina is a cleaner.She works at power utility NamPower.Every month, Theopolina pays the Municipality as much as she can afford but, because of late fee charges, the amount still outstanding is N$38 000.This, however, has not deterred her from pursuing her dream, which she is intent on realising.She has building plans, which have been approved, while the piece of ground has been fenced off with the help of Sara Elago, a Windhoek businesswoman.Now Theopolina hopes that someone from outside will offer some help.She is keen to start with the construction of the three classrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, office and help centre where community members can receive HIV-AIDS counselling and old people can be bathed and cared for during the day.At present, she has 33 children in the Dr Roman Herzog Crèche but no orphans – she believes this is a reason why many organisations are not willing to help her: as all her children are healthy and there are no HIV-AIDS orphans.The single mother of two said that with the help of God and the community she would build a pre primary school one day to help the children of the Goreangab Dam community who now have to walk great distances to go to school.