Young   but passionate about making a difference

By Moses Magadza

In an age in which the average young person would much rather run a kilometer in tight fitting high heeled shoes than help a less fortunate peer, a young Windhoek learner is making a huge difference for a few orphans and vulnerable children.



SERVANT: Patricia Bandora

She is only 17 years old but she has an impressive understanding of the challenges facing Namibia’s orphaned and vulnerable children and is already doing something fundamental to make a difference.

Meet Patricia Bandora, the woman-child of Tanzania who is currently in Namibia doing her International Baccalaureate Diploma at Windhoek International School. From reading Namibian newspapers and watching the news, Patricia probably knows more about the plight of the country’s orphans and vulnerable children than some adults.

“I see Namibia's efforts in taking care of orphans and vulnerable children. Namibia tries to encourage the community to fight HIV/AIDS - the dominant reason of orphaned and vulnerable children - as well as taking care of them.  I know that most children become orphans due to HIV/AIDS and impoverished situations, which in turn forces them to become the caretakers of their households,” she says.

CHILDREN JUST LIKE ME: Patricia Bandora (center) with some of the children she helps at Maggie’s Sunhouse in Windhoek.

Defying her young age, Patricia has made it her mission in life to spread happiness and encouragement to her less fortunate fellow young citizens of the world. She believes that if everyone, including young people, embraced the spirit of volunteerism and decides to help the vulnerable, the world would be a much better place.

To walk her talk, Patricia recently decided to raise money to buy clothes and educational toys for children at Maggie's Sunhouse in Eros, Windhoek. Eighty percent of the 14 children there are orphans while 20 percent are vulnerable children. The children are aged between six years and 18 years.

A German woman, Margaret Noelting, who was concerned with children who could not attend school, founded Maggie's Sunhouse in 2003 to provide education and basic necessities. Noelting has since gone back to Germany. The Social Services Welfare Department in Windhoek now oversees the house and does its best to provide the children with clothes and other supplies.

“Despite their efforts, the children still need school supplies, educational toys and warm clothes for the winter,” Patricia says.

She is a frequent visitor to the house where she spends time with the children.

“I try and entertain them and give them something else to think about. They don't have much to entertain themselves with. I taught them new things, such as how to draw and bake. However, they lack school supplies including books, pens and pencils.”

Her view is that giving the children educational toys would not only entertain them, but also enable them to learn something new.

“I believe that it is a faster and efficient way to teach children, especially the younger ones.  Art supplies would also be a great benefit to them, letting their creative sides run loose. Expression frees the mind.”

Last Saturday (April 26, 2014) Patricia organised a highly successful fundraising event at her school, part of ongoing efforts to raise N$10 000 to buy the children toys and clothes.

“With the support of my parents and teachers, we have so far raised N$8,000.”

She admits that planning the fun day was not easy. She wrote letters, e-mails and sent SMSs to friends and sponsors. She also posted flyers around town to let people know about the event at which there was food, drinks, entertainment and car washing.

“My classmates were a big help. Some were in charge of the face-painting, sports and jumping castle for the children. Some sold the drinks and food, some helped me with the car wash and some helped with the music and entertainment.”

On why young people should be encouraged to volunteer, Patricia says: “I believe that young people should try and help the community in order to ensure a prosperous future and to continue the humanitarian spirit of those before us.”

She credits her parents for engendering the spirit of volunteerism in her.

“Seeing my parents, from a young age, donating clothes to charity and telling my brother and sister and I not to throw away food because other children were starving has inspired and motivated me to help those in need in a big way.”

Patricia’s mother also takes part in charity work in Namibia. As part of the Association of Diplomatic spouses, she helps members of the local community who are in need. After the recent successful fundraising event, Patricia says she will continue to volunteer at Maggie's Sunhouse and to host more fundraising events.

“I plan on continuing to volunteer later in life. I will be consulting with the social welfare department of the city of Windhoek, for a suitable date for the handover of the educational toys, school supplies and warm clothes. Hopefully soon, before winter starts.”

She encourages other young people to volunteer, saying it is rewarding.

“The first day, I fell in love with the children and the smiles on their faces made me feel good about myself and what I was doing. I was able to make a difference in the children's lives and seeing how happy they were at the fun day, made me proud of myself.”