Project Never Walk Alone aims to reach 31 500 children by 2028
Project Never Walk Alone plans to raise N$12.92 million over the next three years to provide shoes to children across Namibia.“Project Never Walk Alone has just finalised an ambitious three-year plan in which we aim to restore the dignity of 31 500 barefoot children across Namibia,” the organisation said in its project description.
This year, the initiative will target 10 000 children in Oshana, ǁKharas, Otjozondjupa and Omusati, four regions that have not yet benefited from the programme. Between March and November, 2 500 pairs of shoes are planned to be distributed per region at a total cost of N$3.92 million.
In 2027, Project Never Walk Alone plans to assist 11 500 children in Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West, and Kunene, with a budget of N$4.6 million. Kavango East is set to receive 4 000 pairs of shoes, more than any other region, as it “currently has the largest number of barefoot children compared to all regions, totalling over 14 000 children.”
In 2028, a further 10 000 children will be targeted in Ohangwena, Khomas, Kavango East, and Hardap, at an estimated cost of N$4.4 million.
Since inception, the organisation has already assisted 12 750 barefoot children, distributing shoes in Hardap, Omaheke, Khomas, Erongo, Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, and Zambezi.
“Project Never Walk Alone is acutely aware of how the lack of shoes affects much more than comfort, including school attendance and the overall confidence of children,” the organisation said. It added that it would “do its utmost to raise the required funds to assist these children as quickly as possible.”
As part of its fundraising drive, the project issued a direct appeal to the private sector: “We are thus appealing to all sectors of our economy, especially the fishing and mining industries, which have made little or no contributions to date, to play their part.”
