Reaching the Goal for African Children

We are Linda and Bill Fleit, co-founders of the charity, Reaching the Goal for African Children (for more information, see https://www.reachingthegoal.org). We have been funding opportunities to improve the lives of hungry and impoverished children in the country of Namibia for over 13 years. We have helped many Namibian children by, for example, paying for their education.

Recently, we heard about a very compelling chance to really make a big difference. One of our main contacts in Namibia, who has helped us enormously through the years, is Sister Wilhelmine Mukosho. Sister runs a school in the small town of Shambyu for orphans and other children at risk. She provides an environment whereby children are educated, given food (as most have no other resource for nourishment), and given a place to live. She does this without any support from the Namibian government, nor does she receive any funds from the local township.

The school has Grades 0-3 and there are about 135 children in attendance. The teachers have been working for no pay since 2016. Some of the teachers have their own families and are no longer able to devote their time and effort for no compensation. Some teachers have already left the school, as well as the cook and the groundskeeper because of the pay issue. The current system is simply not sustainable and Sister is in fear of having to close the school. If the school closes, it will mean the children will go without food as well.

These children need this support system. Most Namibian children are very, very poor and many have parents who have abandoned them or who have died. Many children live with grandparents who might also be caring for five or six more children. Sister’s school gives help and hope to the children who attend.

Right now, we are trying to raise enough for Sister to keep the school going for the next few months, until we can put something more permanent in place that will serve for the longer term. She needs approximately $1,500 (US dollars) a month for the salaries of 10 people (teachers and support staff). The exchange rate for Namibian dollars is very favorable right now, so even a little goes a long way! The need is very great and these children need this help. They have very little in their lives. Please give what you can. Thank you.