Child Sponsorship background from Ondangwa, Namibia

SOS Children's Village Ondangwa

Ondangwa, situated in the north of the country only about 80 km from the Angolan border, is one of the three most important cities of the Oshana Region. Ondangwa means "the end of the Ondonga area", one of the former kingdoms of the area.

The location was chosen because a survey had indicated a big need for children's care and development facilities in northern Namibia. The municipality of Ondangwa donated a suitable plot of land for the erection of an SOS Children's Village on the outskirts of town, in a newly developed, middle-class residential area.

Its architecture reflects the "Solid, Modest and Integrated" approach: The family houses resemble the local building style and fit seamlessly into the neighbourhood.

SOS Children's Village Ondangwa consists of twelve family houses with a capacity for up to 120 children, houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave) and an administration area.

Other SOS Projects in Ondangwa

The SOS Nursery offers enough space for up to 75 children both from the SOS Children's Village and the surrounding community and comprises three classrooms. It greatly supports the integration of the children from the SOS Children's Village into the community and plays a vital role by offering early childhood development education to the most needy children.

A Family Strengthening Programme was established in a nearby disadvantaged community. It offers access to essential services for children’s development (eg. educational, nutritional and health support, social skills) and supports families to protect and care for their children. The programme also aims at linking families with income generating activities and offers help to improve the parents’ parenting skills.

Background to Ondangwa

Ondangwa is a town in the Oshana Region of northern Namibia, bordering Oshikoto Region. Ondangwa means "the end of the Ondonga area" (Ondonga is one of the kingdoms of Ovamboland). Located about 80 km (50 mi) from the Angolan border, it is one of the places of residence of the Kings of Ondonga (currently King Eliphas Kauluma, father to the reigning king lives here). Most of the residents of the town speak Oshindonga.

The landscape is flat, monotonous and dotted with settlements. Mopane, Marula and Wild fig trees turn up occasionally between the fields and the kraals and one can also find Makalani palm trees here (symbol of the Ovambo area). After heavy rains in the region, many little lakes and ponds form. The water comes from the Cuvelai River reaching from the north to the Etosha Pan.