Patience Makwele
Twenty-five micro-business owners from Windhoek’s informal settlements have been selected to receive seed funding and mentorship after more than 400 applications were submitted for the support programme.
The beneficiaries, who are parents and caregivers of children attending Development Workshop Namibia (DWN)-supported early childhood development (ECD) centres, were selected from the Samora Machel, Moses Garoeb and Tobias Hainyeko constituencies.
DWN, with funding from the Embassy of Finland, on Thursday held financial literacy and business management training for the selected beneficiaries at the Tabitha Conference Centre in Khomasdal.
The businesses include poultry and livestock ventures, catering, tailoring, retail, food trailers, event equipment hire, tuckshops and kapana trading.
DWN ECD Programme Manager Olivia Amadhila said supporting caregivers’ livelihoods was an important part of creating better conditions for children.
“Investing in ECD means investing not only in children, but also in the families and communities that shape their future,” Amadhila said.
The initiative forms part of DWN’s Finland-funded Supported Families, Thriving Children project, which combines early childhood development with livelihood support for families living in informal settlements.
DWN said the 25 businesses were selected through a three-phase process involving an independent committee comprising DWN staff and community representatives from the three constituencies.
Applicants were assessed on factors including their business plans, commitment to their communities and readiness to use the grant funding effectively.
The financial literacy training covered budgeting, financial record-keeping, costing, pricing and other basic financial management skills intended to help beneficiaries manage and grow their businesses.
Finnish Ambassador to Namibia Katja Kalamäki said strengthening household finances could contribute to more stable environments for children.
“Ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive begins with supporting the families and caregivers who shape their daily lives,” Kalamäki said.
The project is funded through the Embassy of Finland’s Fund for Local Cooperation, which supports non-profit initiatives aligned with Finland’s development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
DWN said an estimated 200 000 people live in Windhoek’s informal settlements, where poverty and financial pressures can affect household stability and parental wellbeing.
The organisation works in early childhood development and community development across 17 towns in Namibia.
