Photo: Samuel Brahima

Oil and rice make up part of the food kit.

About 100 vulnerable families, mainly children and women, received food parcels distributed by Nile Educational Trust (NILE) this week.

NILE is a non-profit Namibian Trust which renders social and educational services to all irrespective of race, colour, religious convictions or cultural identity. The beneficiaries were mainly residents of the Samora Machel and Tobias Hainyeko constituencies.

Tobias Hainyeko Constituency Councillor, Zulu Shitongeni, who thanked NILE for the gesture, explained the criteria used in identifying the beneficiaries in his area.

"We first checked for the unemployed people who collect bottles and firewood to make a living. And many of these people normally approach my office in search of food. We also have community leaders who help identify them to ensure that they are really needy," Shitongeni said.

In the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency, the Councillor identified three of the people who usually forage for food at the Kupferberg dumpsite, unfortunately only one turned up to pick up a food hamper. One of the beneficiaries, Belinda Nuabes, expressed gratitude for the food donation.

"I am very happy for the food. I know it is not a lot but it will help. We used to survive at the dumpsite. We are pleading for more good Samaritans to come to our rescue. We also need blankets," she said, flanked by her uncle, Frederick Afrikaaner, who was also a beneficiary.

Taarah Shanika, Namibia Chambers of Commerce and Industry, (NCCI) Chief Executive Officer who also serves as a Trustee on the board of NILE distributed the food parcels together with NILE Secretary General, Gurtug Yalvac. Shaanika said there is a need for both the private and public sectors to ensure there is commitment to find opportunities to create jobs.

"We need criteria to look at young children to ensure that they eat well, so they can develop their brains. A child needs to develop well to perform well in school," he said.

Meanwhile, Yalvac promised that NILE would continue to invest in education and also assist the needy in Namibia. Samora Machel Constituency Councillor, Abisai Angula also welcomed the gesture by NILE.