Queen Elizabeth recognises Namibian volunteer with Commonwealth Points of Light award

NDN Staffer

WINDHOEK, Apr. 9 – Last week, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II recognised Ursula Matzopoulos, of Namibia as the 42nd Commonwealth Point of Light in honour due to her exceptional service improving the health and educational attainment of young people.

In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on 19-20 April, Her Majesty The Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.

By sharing these stories of service, the Heads of Government meeting will celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.

Ursula is a former primary school teacher who is involved in an after-school club in Katutura, Windhoek, called PAY – Physically Active Youth. The club focuses on using educational games to improve the literacy and maths skills of local children from disadvantaged backgrounds, whilst also improving their health and fitness through BMX riding, football, swimming and basketball.

Since 2015 Ursula has led the organisation’s extra-curricular tutoring, helping over 150 pupils aged 12-13 to achieve twice the national average pass rate for end of year exams. She also encourages young people to continue their education, with 80% of children from the programme enrolling in secondary school compared to the national average of 54%.

Each Commonwealth Point of Light will receive a personalised certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. The award for Ursula Matzopoulos was presented on 27th March at the Physically Active Youth centre by Kate Airey, UK High Commissioner in Namibia.

Ursula Matzopoulos said:  “It’s wonderful to receive this award, not for myself but to get recognition for all the amazing volunteers at PAY who give so much of themselves to make sure the children get a better start in life. It’s not always easy and we rely on the kindness of so many people and organisations to keep PAY going. So this is a huge thank you to all of them.”

Kate Airey, UK High Commissioner in Namibia said: “I’m delighted that Ursula is receiving this award. The amount of effort she puts in to ensuring these children get a good meal, the creativity with which she approaches the extra-curricular work, the team she has created and the impact she has is phenomenal. I hope this award means the work PAY does reaches a wider audience and they can carry on making the enormous difference to the lives of children in Katatura.”

info@namibiadailynews.info