It was day 12 of the Gondwana Academy Tour (GAT) 2025 and the guideline of the day was “Be ashamed to die until you have some victory for humanity." There was no better way to spend it than at the DRC Women’s Community Project.
The project is a haven of hope and empowerment for women and children. My visit to this inspiring initiative through GAT 2025 provided a great insight into the long-term dedication to community upliftment of the founders, and everyone involved. Upon our arrival, Mrs. Elizabeth Manga welcomed us, and she expressed her delight to have such a large group visit the project. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of purpose and hope.
The core focus of the DRC Women's Community Project is equipping women with vocational skills that enable them to become financially independent. We had the opportunity to witness sewing and beading classes, where women worked on colourful fabrics and beads, creating beautiful garments and accessories which are sold at Gondwana Collection curio shops and on The Narrative Namibia e-commerce site. The sense of pride in their work was unmistakable, and many shared their aspirations for starting their businesses.
Another heartwarming aspect of the project is its dedication to early childhood education. The center ensures young children receive a solid foundation for their future learning. Seeing the children engaged in interactive lessons and creative play spoke about the project's positive impact on these young ones. The teachers showed remarkable dedication and patience in nurturing young minds.
The activities involved gardening and preparing a hearty meal for the children. We were divided into groups and planted trees in the garden, which resonates with another one of Gondwana Collection's guidelines “Give back to nature what belongs to nature.” With every handful of soil, I felt connected to something greater. The groups moved to the kitchen, where pots simmered with rich, nourishing aromas. Side by side with the women, we helped stir and plate meals. The time came to serve the children, and their faces lit up as they received warm plates of food, with gratitude expressed in unfiltered smiles.
Despite the project's success, challenges remain. Limited funding and resources pose significant obstacles. The project relies on donations and volunteer support to sustain its programmes, and for the past seven years it has been one of the beneficiaries for the Gondwana Care Trust through the Back-to-school Christmas project.
This experience was not only about an act of service but about learning, growing, and being part of a community where compassion and perseverance thrived together. It highlighted the importance of grassroot initiatives in encouraging empowerment and creating sustainable change.
Author: Aloisia Shigwedha
Photos: Willihem Johannes
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT