<div><strong>A life-devoted to helping others - now fighting for his own.</strong>
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<div>John Rimunikawi Tjipurua - a deeply respected Himba leader from Northern Namibia — suffered severe injuries in a devastating gas explosion.
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<div>While preparing a meal at the camp he built for his community, a gas bottle exploded.
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<div>67% of his body was burned.
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<div>He has been in the hospital for weeks (and will be hospitalized for at least another 2 months), in unbearable pain, facing months of recovery — and daily medical bills he or his community simply cannot cover.
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<div><strong>This is a man who has spent his life helping others.</strong>
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<div>If you’ve ever had the privilege of meeting John, you know:
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<div>His warmth, his strength, his wisdom, his generosity — are rare.
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<div>Listen to this podcast I recorded with him years ago to get a feel for his unique spirit:
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<div><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1oGjIYi8UswjfIgjypJdFR?si=ChPUzbTrTq6Butom_CNCbg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1oGjIYi8UswjfIgjypJdFR?si=ChPUzbTrTq6Butom_CNCbg" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://open.spotify.com/episode/1oGjIYi8UswjfIgjypJdFR?si=ChPUzbTrTq6Butom_CNCbg</a></a>
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<div>He has dedicated his life to his Himba tribe, to preserve their traditions and offer education to the next generation.
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<div><strong>He never asked for anything. </strong>
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<div><strong>He always gave.</strong>
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<div><strong>Now he needs our help. </strong>
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<div><strong>Mine. </strong>
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<div><strong>Yours.</strong>
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<div>What he urgently needs:
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<div><strong>John’s hospital stay and medication cost over 250 EUR per day</strong> — a fortune in Namibia:
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<div>Hospital fees: N$1,160/day
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<div>Silbecor Cream: N$2,500/day
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<div>Supiroban Cream: N$820/day
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<div>Kloraxin Eye Ointment: N$40/day
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<div>Food: N$100/day
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<div>His family and community are doing all they can. But they are simply out of options. Without external help, John cannot continue his treatment.
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<div>I (Sonja Piontek) have known John for many years. And I route for him with all my heart.
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<div>We’ve shared powerful moments together in the Himba kraals of Namibia.
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<div>His story — and his image — were even featured in the National Geographic book I co-authored with Carolyne Strover, who has also become a dear friend of John’s over the years.
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<div>We are stepping in.
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<div>And we ask you to join us.
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<div><strong>Every single donation counts.</strong>
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<div>Whether you give 5€, 50€, 500€ or more — you are helping John survive, life and continue to give.
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<div>We will keep this page updated and ensure every cent goes directly to his care.
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<div><strong>Please give what you can.</strong>
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<div>Please share this campaign.
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<div>Let’s help John heal — and stand tall again.
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<div>With deepest gratitude,
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<div>Sonja Piontek
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<div>on behalf of John’s friends and Himba family in Namibia
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xavier saer

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Help John — Himba Leader Severely Burnt in Gas Explosion

Help John — Himba Leader Severely Burnt in Gas Explosion

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