Namibia
VSO Namibia currently focuses on HIV & AIDS, disability, education and secure livelihoods, predominantly in the regions of Caprivi, Kavango, Ohangwena and Omusati.
HIV and AIDS
HIV and AIDS is the main development issue in Namibia; there are about 200,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in Namibia and more than 100,000 orphans and vulnerable children affected by the virus.
Volunteers are supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Services and community based organisations that are working to improve awareness about prevention, care and treatment services for people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Volunteers with business, fundraising and advocacy expertise are improving the management and communications skills of colleagues, while individuals with experience of community care and counselling are working to establish effective support services.
Disability
There are estimated to be as many as 150,000 people with disabilities in Namibia, the majority of whom have little or no access to healthcare and education and have few opportunities to get a job and support themselves. VSO is one of the only development organisations working to improve the standards of living for people with disabilities. Volunteers are working with a number of national and regional organisations to eradicate stigma and misconception about causes of disability and support people with disabilities to get an education or a job. Activities include developing management structures so that organisations can operate more effectively and offering advice on care and rehabilitation services.
Education
There has been a lot of progress in improving school attendance rates and the quality of education in Namibia but spill over from civil war in Angola has meant that parts of the north have not has as much support from the government or international community. Also, many schools feel the effect of HIV and AIDS which causes both teachers and pupils to be absent from school through illness or the need to care for family members. So education managers and teacher trainer volunteers are working in the most disadvantaged areas of Namibia to ensure education management and policies reflect the needs of schools and that training and professional development support for teachers means that children are getting a good quality of education.
Secure Livelihoods
Secure Livelihoods work focuses on two areas of work: i) Business and technical support within the Vocational Education and Training Sector and ii) Business and Enterprise Development within the Community-based Natural Resource Management sector for rural based communities. VSO works with mainly non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations under the first area, and government and private vocational training institutions in the second area. The aim for working with these target groups is to strengthen the partners’ capacity to provide improved services and options for Namibians to gain essential skills and knowledge that will enhance income generation and job opportunities.
National volunteering
The HR Solutions Programme, a partnership with Randstad, aims to improve working conditions for employees and volunteers in Namibia, focusing on skills development and building capacity at individual and organisational levels. HR Solutions is playing a key role in developing and implementing proper management practices and policies on community volunteering. In this aspect, HR Solutions is supporting National Volunteering across the four programmes.
Programme Summaries
VSO Programme Offices
Quick facts
- Population:
- 2 million
- Capital city:
- Windhoek
- GDP per capita:
- $7,586
- HDI ranking:
- 125 out of 177 countries
- Life expectancy:
- 53