Vulnerable members receive blankets at Kombat

KOMBAT, 07 JUL  – Pensioners and children at the Neu Sommerau government resettlement farm near Kombat on Friday received 100 new blankets worth N.dollars 30 000 from Chinese brickmaking company, Zhen Hua CC.
The donation was handed over through the Office of the Otjozondjupa Governor, Otto Ipinge, who identified the disadvantaged pensioners and children.
In his address, Ipinge explained that his office has declared Neu Sommerau as the hardest hit area by poverty and hunger since the place is largely dominated by pensioners, women, children and people living with disabilities.
“Therefore, a donation of blankets to this place is a good example that needs to be emulated by many businesspeople around Kombat,” he said.
He, however, expressed disappointment about alcohol abuse at the resettlement farm; noting that many of the pensioners and vulnerable people spend their monthly social grants on liquor.
Ipinge also warned beneficiaries not to sell or exchange the new blankets with traditional brews (ombike or tombo), and urged community members to watch each other and report such matters to the police.
Beneficiaries in return thanked the government through Ipinge for the donation, and promised to keep themselves warm with the new blankets.
“I am really happy to receive this blanket as it is very cold for me these days,” said Christine Neibes while receiving her blanket.
On his part, Gideon Mathias said the blankets came when the cold weather is all over the country and thanked the government for taking care of its pensioners, people living with disabilities and children.
According to findings by the National Statistics Agency (NSA) Population and Housing Census of 2011, Neu Sommerau residents largely depend on charcoal production, crop and livestock farming for income.
The farm is situated less than 10 kilometres south of Kombat in the Otavi Constituency with a population of over 2 000.
(NAMPA)