Speaker Visits Cheshire Home, Calls for Greater Support for Vulnerable Children
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has commended the staff and volunteers at Cheshire Home in Katima Mulilo for their dedication to caring for vulnerable children, while calling on government, the private sector and the public to strengthen support for institutions serving children with disabilities and learning challenges.
Speaking during a visit to the centre, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said she was deeply moved by the commitment of the staff, despite many challenges they face.”I want to thank all of you for welcoming me and my team into the facility today.
It is heart-moving to hear what the centre has been doing, the challenges it has faced, and the fact that it has endured,” she said.The Speaker praised the centre for providing care and educational support to 29 children, saying its work demonstrates the power of collective action in transforming lives.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to people-centred development, stressing that improving the living conditions of Namibians remains at the core of national development.
She said community participation is essential to ensuring that development initiatives respond to local needs and remain sustainable.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila described civil society organisations as key partners in national development and commended churches for their longstanding contribution to supporting vulnerable communities.
She acknowledged concerns raised by the centre regarding limited government subsidies and undertook to raise those issues with the relevant authorities.”We want the support that we provide to be impactful,” she said.
The Speaker also appealed to the corporate sector, organisations and individual Namibians to contribute towards the work of institutions such as Cheshire Home, expressing disappointment that more members of society had not come forward to assist.
She applauded the centre’s commitment to inclusive education, saying children with disabilities should be integrated with other learners rather than isolated.”
Challenges do not make us less than others. Every child has potential, and when empowered, they can achieve their best. Investing in them is investing in the development of Namibia,” she said.
During the visit, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila presented a donation to the centre as a gesture of support, while acknowledging that it would not meet all of its needs.
She also addressed concerns relating to citizenship documentation affecting some children, saying the government remains committed to ensuring that every case is handled in accordance with Namibia’s laws and humanitarian principles.
Concluding her visit, the Speaker praised the resilience of the centre’s staff and encouraged them to continue their important work.”
There is no challenge that is insurmountable. Together we can make a difference and build a more caring and inclusive Namibia,” she said.
