The house that 10 cents built through Buy-a-Brick

WINDHOEK, JULY 29 – In these trying economic times and with the pressing housing shortage in the country, the idea of someone building a decent home with 10 cents sounds like an old wives’ tale spread by the elderly when they reminisce about their childhood.

However, for Elizabeth, or Maro Elize (Elder Elize), as she is affectionately known in the community of Berseba and her husband Sam Goliath it is a surreal reality they are living in.

The Goliaths, are among the 28 residents in the village of Berseba who received homes through the Buy-a-Brick initiative recently. The elderly couple have lived in a shack for over 3 decades and at 72 years old Maro Elize finally has a decent place to call home.

While 20 of the homes were built through the Buy-a-Brick initiative, 8 of those homes were built with financing by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. Through the pioneering Buy-a-Brick initiative, the Bank is aiding in the provision of affordable housing to low or no income households in Namibia, in collaboration with Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN).

“This house was built with just 10 cents. That’s all we had to start with. It started with saving 10 cents, then another 10 cents and another and before we knew it we were saving a lot. That’s all you need to build your house too,” Maro Elize encouraged.

The funds handed over to the SDFN during the Buy-a-Brick initiative’s second leg was the final financial boost the couple needed to begin construction of their home.

“I want to thank God for inspiring the people behind the Buy-a-Brick initiative because without them we would not have a decent home. l would also like to urge anyone who doesn’t have a home to join the SDFN so they can empower you to also get one through the Buy-a-Brick initiative,” she stressed.

To aid them a step further into making their house a home, the Bank also bought the elderly couple groceries to get them through the month. Although the couple has adult children, they live on their own.

When we first heard that we would be able to build our homes last year through the Buy-a-Brick initiative we didn’t believe it because we have been waiting for such a long time, however it all became real when we saw them laying the foundation to our home,” Maro Elize, recounted.

She added that they had the most peaceful sleep they have had in years when they slept in their new home for the first time.

“When we set out to partner with the SDFN to aid in alleviating the housing shortage in the country, we knew it would make a big difference in people’s lives, however seeing Maro Elize’s reaction has just brought a deeper understanding of what it truly means. We are not only building homes but we are giving people hope for the future, we are lifting them from the shackles or poverty and we are giving them dignity to live out the rest of their lives in comfort,” Standard Bank’s Head of Marketing, Communication and CSI, Magreth Mengo, said.

She added that the gratitude and excitement from all the recipients of the Buy-a-Brick homes has intensified the zeal, of not only the Bank, but all its partners, to continue fundraising efforts and increase the amount handed over annually.

This year the Bank handed over N$3.7 million to the Federation through this remarkable initiative. The Buy-a-Brick initiative has become a truly Namibian initiative because Blue Bankers, communities and fellow responsible corporate citizens are taking ownership of it by giving to the initiative selflessly.

Of the homes built with the N$2 million raised during the second leg of the Buy-a-Brick initiative, 16 homes were already official handed over in Otjinene on 18 May. The remaining 14 homes are being built in Windhoek. – NDN Staffer