Ohorongo and Support e.V. not deterred to donate

Mariselle Stofberg
While the Covid-19 virus caused turmoil all over the world, Ohorongo’s partner in health, Support e.V. Ulm did not let the pandemic deter it from sourcing medical equipment to donate to Namibia.
In collaboration with the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust (OOCT), the donation consists of much needed hospital beds and mattresses, an anaesthetics machine, bedside tables and more to the estimated market value of more than N$1 400 000. In 2010, a technical agreement was drawn up between OOCT, Support e.V. Ulm and the ministry of health and social services (MOHSS) and it has been extended twice since then.
The agreement allows OOCT to import containers of medical goods exempted of import duties to donate to MOHSS to distribute throughout all regions of Namibia. Despite the announcement by Schwenk Zement International of the intention to sell 100% of the shareholding of its Namibian subsidiary, Schwenk Namibia (Pty) Ltd, OOCT and Support e.V. Ulm has made it clear that it is their intention to continue with their donations to Namibia.
This comes in the midst of a downturn in the Namibian economy, and a decline in the construction industry.
Support e.V. Ulm is a non-profit organization based in Ulm, Germany. It was established by a group of medical doctors who made it their aim to support medical projects throughout the world. They support various projects by means of financial and humanitarian means as well as through donations. The deputy minister of MOHSS, Hon. Esther Muinjangue, expressed the appreciation for the donation on behalf of the ministry.
“When I joined the ministry of health, it has come to my attention that since its inception, OOCT and Support e.V. Ulm has been committed to support the ministry with the donation of medical goods to benefit the Namibian nation. There are many heart-warming stories out there of people who were beneficiaries of these donations. It really changes the lives of people for the better,” Muinjangue said.
“The donation has come at the right time, when the country budget has been compromised as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which negatively affects our budget to buy the necessary equipment. We are looking forward to continue to grow this partnership for many years to come,” she added.
“The donations, especially the beds, come at a time when our healthcare system is under pressure with the strain it carries under the current pandemic. These are trying times we are experiencing and we need to always find synergies and collaborate to ensure that our country and the health of its people always comes first,” said Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, the managing director of Ohorongo.
“A healthy nation can contribute towards the economy, and that is how we can leave a lasting legacy for generations to come,” said Schütte.
Support e.V. Ulm, continues to direct its efforts to create platforms abroad to raise funds and obtain donations that will be allocated towards assisting our government in delivering quality healthcare to Namibians.