Sostenus Wilherm
A mother of eight from Ashipepe village in the Eengodi constituency in the Oshikoto region, has received immediate water relief after appealing for assistance to secure reliable access to clean water for her family, including four children living with a rare medical condition.
Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi on Wednesday visited the home of Indileni Haidula following her appeal for a tap to be installed at her homestead, where she is raising four children diagnosed with ectodermal dysplasia – a rare form of ectodermal dysplasia affecting the skin, sweat glands, hair, teeth and nails.
Haidula says the condition makes regular access to clean water particularly important for her children.
During the visit, Kathindi was accompanied by officials from the ministry of health and social services, rural water supply, NamWater and the ministry responsible for gender, with the delegation engaging the family on its circumstances and possible areas of government intervention.
The governor said his visit was also aimed at gaining a clear understanding of the challenges faced by the family and identifying their most urgent needs.
“I did consult and then also just to have a clear picture, what is really happening, what really affects this family. That’s why it came to my attention that they needed water and then, remember very well, water becomes priority above priorities,” Kathindi said.
He said he subsequently engaged rural water supply and NamWater to determine what immediate assistance could be provided to the household.
“This is our baby that we are nurturing in the region. So, I decided also to make some contact, so that we see what we should do. I engaged with the Rural water supply, then I engaged with NamWater, so that we see what we can do,” he said.
As an immediate intervention, Kathindi presented the family with a 10 000-litre water tank, which will be filled at least once a month to provide the household with more reliable access to water.
Kathindi said the water supplied to the family was specifically intended to address the household’s immediate needs.
“As we speak now, I brought a 10 000-litre heavy-duty tanker to this family from Rural water supply. Then, as we speak, there is another water tanker that’s bringing water here from NamWater and this water is specific for this situation at this household,” Kathindi said.
He urged the family to ensure that the water provided is used for its intended purpose.
“So, that’s why I even told the family that this water should be used for what it was intended for,” he said.
The family’s circumstances have also been marked by loss. Haidula says she lost a son to the condition in 2005 when he was only five years old.
She also spoke about the stigma she and her children face in the community because of their appearance.
“Some people in the community mock me and my children because of how we look,” Haidula said.
Despite the challenges, Haidula expressed appreciation for the assistance provided to her family following the governor’s visit.
“I really appreciate all you have done for me and my family,” she said.
The governor’s office said all Haidula’s children are currently receiving social grants from the government of Namibia, providing much needed financial assistance to the household.
The 10 000-litre tank is expected to ease the family’s immediate water challenges while authorities consider a longer-term solution.
The governor’s office said the visit was aimed at understanding the family’s circumstances and identifying areas where government support could make a meaningful difference.
It said the intervention demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families and ensuring that communities are not left behind.
It further thanked the various stakeholders involved in responding to the family’s situation and said Kathindi remains committed to working with relevant ministries and institutions to improve the wellbeing and dignity of vulnerable families across the Oshikoto region.
