Lots of love for Lebensschule
“Hoza Friday” as it is called by many people, is somewhat of an informal tradition that stipulates that the time has come to be merry. And for Kathy Hampe, who founded Lebensschule daycare, her 10 staff and 32 children, this could not be truer after receiving a care package from businesses, civil society and charity.Lebensschule daycare center is located in Rehoboth’s Block B, and last Friday they expressed their gratitude after a trailer packed with hygiene essentials and edibles was delivered to their doorstep through a partnership between Wutow Trading, SBS Trucking, ChariTree and Rob Youth Foundation (RYF).
“This is a welcome gesture and we appreciate the help. This donation came at an opportune time given how prices are rising,” Hampe said, who founded the center six years ago.
The center caters to 32 children living with various needs and disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and trauma, to mention a few.
“The children come here for assistance, and we provide a meal a day. We split them into two groups so that we can be able to assist them accordingly,” she said.
When asked about the general upkeep of the centre, Hampe said that government chipped in on a monthly basis with N$3 027, while two friends from Germany are kind enough to support by sponsoring N$10 700 for workers’ incentives. Another well-wisher from Austria donates €1 000 after every six months.
“We make do with what we have. Our budget every month is N$16 000, including water and electricity.”
She said they provide the children with foot massages as well, while there is a doctor who sometimes comes from Austria. “In addition, we rehabilitate children who go through trauma. We have one child whose uncle was killed right in front of him. Now and then he begins to yell after a certain trigger, be it sound or sight, we just don’t know. So we care for him and try to alleviate the pain.”
Work never ends
She added that some children have a low sense of touch which they try to stimulate as well, while they also have mouth guards for children who suffer from sialorrhea – a condition that leads to drooling as a result of weak or underdeveloped muscles around the mouth or having too much saliva.
“At our centre we do a number of things, one of which is helping children who have speech conditions, including stuttering. We have a voice coach who helps out so that the children learn to speak. It is humbling to see that what you and I call normal can be a task for others.
Natalia Augustinus, RYF Erongo Regional Manager, believes that anything is possible with a bit of love and care. “Everyone deserves a chance and it is encouraging that the Lebensschule staff selflessly dedicate themselves to helping those who are not fortunate enough to be able to utilize all their sensory and motor functions. As a foundation, this ties into helping the children and youth and fostering their development. We are truly humbled. Once again our partners Wutow Trading, ChariTree and SBS Trucking came through, and we leave this place today knowing that tomorrow we will go on to the next place and assist in any way we can.”
Speaking on behalf of ChariTree and Wutow Trading, Hennie Kruger said that this is the third time that this partnership has made a difference and that there is more to come. He invited other stakeholders to stand up and make other people’s futures count.
“We’d like to keep it sustainable and not do fly-by-night or once-off things. Currently, we have enough resources and as long as our partners work with us we can do this constantly. The only challenge we face is logistics. We appreciate our partners, but then again, there is so much more we can do. Our business partners deserve to be commended for their stellar efforts and dedication,” he said.
SBS trucking’s financial officer Remembrance Chiremba believes that change comes bit by bit and that everyone needs to come together to steer lives in a positive direction.
“It is a humbling experience to deliver these goods to those in need. There is pleasure in giving, and this outreach programme is proving to be a pleasurable experience. I think in the long run it will open the eyes of other private sector partners to be involved. We need to work together more so that we can shape lives.”
The children at Lebensschule come in two groups meaning one child attends once every two days. The oldest person they take care of is a 26-year-old, while the youngest is an infant who is a year old.
For more information on Lebensschule, contact Kathy Hampe on 081 665 0363.