Building Community Resilience one Tree at a Time

Community gardens have become a popular and sustainable tool to address hunger in Namibia. Drawing inspiration from similar initiatives, the United Nations (UN) Namibia celebrated the 76th anniversary of UN Day by supporting a garden project at the Katutura Aftercare Centre in Windhoek.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare administers the Centre and the shelter often houses around 500 street children at a time. Along with gardening, the centre also offers programs such as drama classes, psychosocial support, school and family integration.

Food insecurity is a harsh reality in Namibia exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change – leaving the most vulnerable populations in perilous predicaments. A sustainable and productive gardening project brings an impressive array of benefits in this time of economic precariousness.

Sen Pang, the UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia expressed that it is a privilege to commemorate UN Day with the After-School Centre family and underscored the importance of being in the heart of the community.

“It is here where we live the values enshrined in the UN Charter, where we work for the people, doing the work by the people”.

Special adviser to the First Lady of Namibia Dr Veronica Theron highlighted a number of activities to protect vulnerable people in our communities, from speaking out on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to advocating for social safety nets.

This informal engagement allowed attendees to see the real world impact of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mentioned in the statements of speakers.

As a global representive for her country Annerie Maré, Miss Namibia World 2021, reflected on the urgency and her passion for advancing the (SDGs) in Namibia. She particularly voiced her will to champion causes related to SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation in Namibia.

Children from the Centre put their talents on display via an enthusiastic wrestling demonstration and a competitive basketball match.

In addition to setting up sustainable gardens to support food security and sustainable food production by planting fruit trees, UNCT also donated gardening tools, children’s literature, sport equipment and educational games and providing minor improvements at the centre.