April 2021 – Here’s what’s new with

Friends of Namibia International

Thank you!  

Thanks to everyone who became a member over the last month.  It means a lot to have your support.  

Our website is developing!

If you haven’t checked out our website lately, enjoy clicking through it now:

Our Website

Our current project

Our #1 goal is to attain 501(c)3 status, so that future projects can be more easily funded.   To that end, our current fundraiser is raising funds to cover filing fees and administrative costs, while we work on the paperwork.  Please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested in supporting this goal! 

Developing partnerships

At our most recent meeting  we talked with existing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Namibia and learned more about what they do and how we can help them in their missions.  Here are the three NGOs who presented their organizations:

Namibian Partnership Solutions:  NPS is based in the Omaheke region and serves the Omaheke, Hardap, Kavango (and soon Kunene) regions of Namibia.  NPS specializes in creating sustainable solutions to socially complex problems based on research into the communities they serve.  Current programs are aimed at out-of-school youth, homeless youth, youth living with HIV, and adolescent girls including those who are victims of sexual abuse and/or trafficking.  They strive to involve community partners in such a way as to bridge populations and make efforts meaningful to all involved.  In the past they have hosted RPCVs and other international volunteers, and are currently hosting their first Friends of Namibia member (Nick Russon).  If you are interested in joining their team on the ground in Namibia to strengthen their equity focused programs, please contact Heather Ross for more information. NPS website

Afrisource Innovation Center:  Afrisource is based in the Oshana region where it develops and runs workshops designed to promote innovation and skill development for Namibian farmers, businesses and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).  These workshops include skill development in bookkeeping, financial literacy, customer service and sustainable farming.  Contact Aquila Ledbetter for more information about Afrisource or check out the Afrisource Website.

Transcending Lives Continuously:  TLC Namibia is based in Windhoek. TLC works in the areas of business development, community development  and women's health and empowerment.   They develop hands-on programs to improve the lives of Namibians, such as their course teaching leather work skills using harness stitching techniques and hand tools which allows the operations to be done without electricity.   TLC has mentored businesses in Namibia for 7 years and worked with the Ministry of Health to provide dental services to marginalized communities.  TLC also supports the Wheel-Ability Sports Club and other disabled Namibians by bringing basketball wheelchairs to Namibia and providing training in their use and on-going support. Contact Lawrence Haw for more information on TLC. 

Who we are

The mission of Friends of Namibia International is to provide a platform and network for our membership - people who love Namibia - to maintain their connection to Namibia and to each other, while continuing efforts to promote meaningful and sustainable development in Namibia.

Do You Know Someone Who Loves Namibia?

Encourage them to become a member!  Sign up here  

Want to join our next working group meeting?

Our next meeting is this Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 8am Pacific / 11 am Eastern / 5pm Central African Time.  RSVP by clicking on this date in the calendar under the events tab.   You will receive a Zoom link the day before.

We need:

• People with experience filing for 501(c)3 nonprofit status
• People with experience in website design and/or social media
• People with time to lead a subcommittee or hold a leadership position
• Anyone with energy and love for Namibia!