Patience Makwele
An appeal made during the Vice President Lucia Witbooi’s visit to the Omaheke region earlier this year has changed the life of an eight-year-old girl after members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) donated a wheelchair that will allow her to attend school next year.
Unondjamo Stoffart, who lives with a mobility disability at the Children’s Sanctuary in Drimiopsis, received the wheelchair from members of the NDF’s 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion following a plea made by the sanctuary’s centre manager during the Vice President’s official visit to the Kalahari Constituency in January.
The donation was made voluntarily by members of the battalion after learning about the child’s need for mobility support.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, General Officer Commanding of the 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Nathanael Endjala, said the occasion was about more than handing over a wheelchair.
He said it reflected the soldiers’ commitment to serving communities beyond their military duties through compassion, unity and a shared responsibility to support those in need.
Commanding Officer of the 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Appollos Ngaamwa, said even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on vulnerable children.
“Let this occasion remind us all that even a small act of kindness can transform someone’s life. Let us continue working together to uplift vulnerable girls and boys in our society and ensure that no child is left behind,” he said.
Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate commended the battalion for its continued commitment to community development, saying the wheelchair donation was another example of its support for vulnerable communities in the region.
He noted that the battalion had previously renovated facilities at Khoandawes Primary School and Gobabis Project School, as well as participated in neighbourhood clean-up campaigns.
The children’s sanctuary manager Belinda Tsuses expressed gratitude for the donation, saying it would restore the young girl’s dignity and independence while significantly improving her mobility.
