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VSO - Sharing Skills, Changing Lives

Where we do it > Namibia

Facts & Figures Population: 2 million Capital city: Windhoek GDP per capita: $7,418 HDI ranking: 125 out of 177 countries * Life expectancy: 47

* The UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) measures a country's achievements in terms of life expectancy, educational attainment and adjusted real income.

Country background

VSO Namibia currently focuses on HIV & AIDS, disability, education and secure livelihoods, predominantly in the regions of Caprivi, Kavango, Ohangwena and Omusati.

HIV & AIDS is the main development issue in Namibia; there are about 200,000 people living with HIV & AIDS in Namibia and more than 100,000 orphans and vulnerable children affected by the virus. Infection rates run to 43% in the Caprivi district, while 22% of pregnant women are HIV positive or living with AIDS and therefore at risk of passing the virus to their baby.

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.

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.

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 affect 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 work focuses on supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development and local non-governmental organisations so they can ensure that the poorest people have the skills and knowledge they need to earn a living and enjoy an independent life. Activity includes raising awareness of agricultural practices that do not damage the natural resources and training local people in skills and techniques so they are able to secure a job or undertake activity that will earn them an income.