Women empowerment foundation boosted

FINANCIAL services provider Alexander Forbes has for the second consecutive year pledged to support the Lidar Community Foundation in Windhoek with *N$72 000.

The foundation's programme supports 500 vulnerable young mothers and orphaned schoolgirls through structured educational programmes and daily meals.

Erika Reissner, marketing manager at Alexander Forbes, says the funding will support the centre's activities from April 2020 to the end of March 2021.

“In March this year, Alexander Forbes also donated furniture valued at N$30 000 to improve the general set-up for staff and members of the foundation. We will also give a monthly N$6 000 for daily meals,” Reissner says.

Lidar's founder, Sherley Khaxas, thanked Alexander Forbes for supporting the centre.

She says most teenage mothers receive training in cooking, baking and sewing.

“The programme has received support from individuals and companies in cash and in kind. We go through tough times when it comes to day-to-day training and cash flow. Wth this support, we will be able to carry on,” Khaxas says.

Helana Titus (22), a beneficiary of the foundation, says she has developed skills through training.

Titus is a mother of two and lives on the outskirts of Windhoek. She says about a year ago she had lost hope, until she joined the Lidar programme in Katutura.

“I gave birth to my firstborn when I was 18 years old, and the second when I was 21. At first I told myself I would go back to school, but I gave up because I was suspended from school. I got used to staying at home until a friend introduced me to the Lidar Foundation,” she says.

Titus says she has learnt about basic hygiene, etiquette, and sexual health and rights at the foundation.

Visiting the centre on a daily basis is Debora Gases and Rebekka van der Byl.

Gases (15) says she gets most of her meals at the foundation.

“When school closed I could not go to the farm where my parents are, because sometimes there is no food there, so I came to Windhoek where I heard about Lidar. I come here every day to visit the library and for food,” she says. Van der Byl says she has met new friends at Lidar and has learnt a lot about peer pressure.

*This article previously stated that Alexander Forbes pledged to support the Lidar Community Foundation with N$600 000. This was incorrect and has been changed accordingly.